Bendu Order

"No one should be called a true Bendu unless they desire for their brothers what they desire for themselves."

- Zios Malachor

The Bendu Order was an ancient and noble monastic peacekeeping organization in the Ashlan Expanse that was one of two great orders that emerged during a schism within the Jedi Bendu Order 15,000 years before the Battle of Yavin IV. The Bendu Order was unified through its belief in the God Yahweh and his omnipotent presence, known as the Force of Others. Wielders of this mystic energy and signature long swords, the Bendu Knights were revered as guardians of an everlasting peace in the Ashlan worlds.

The Bendu rarely left their home planet of Kal'Shabbol to fight, but there were three major instances when they did. Under the leadership of Ussej Padric Bac and Ussej Padric Bac II, the order quelled a tyranny on Had Abaddon, fought in the Great Sovereign Crusades under the leadership of Ussej Padric Bac III and helped destroy the Galactic Empire and the Sith Order under the leadership of Ussej Padric Bac LXIV.

A very religious people, the Bendu had an ancient set of prophecies that had been passed down from the time of The Skywalker, the founder of the Jedi Bendu Order. Many of their own people, such as Ussej Padric Bac, Ussej Padric Bac II and Ussej Padric Bac III, fulfilled a group of these prophecies while many others were fulfilled by Jedi Knights and Jedi Bendu Knights after the reunification of the orders.

The Schism
"We have been told to either submit to the new way or find our own. I have chosen the latter."

- Zios Malachor



Ten thousand years following the conclusion of the Unification War, thousands of star systems had pledged their allegiance to the Galactic Republic and had recognized the Jedi Bendu Order as the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. However, many things began to change when a corrupt bureaucrat named Contispex was elected Supreme Chancellor. He had his own beliefs of the past and wished to shape the Jedi Bendu Order in the image he desired. Through a great deal of manipulation of the Jedi Bendu Council of Masters, he was able to place Zoz Appenkee into the seat of Grandmaster of the Jedi Bendu. Grandmaster Apenkee also agreed with Contispex’s views, hence his appointment.

Appenkee spent years amending the Jedi Bendu Code and the history of the formation of the order, offering what he claimed to be evidence from worlds such as Ossus. Therefore, the Jedi Bendu followed him, believing themselves to have been wrong for so long. However, two Jedi Bendu Masters on the council disagreed with objected each step of the way. These Jedi Bendu were Zios Malachor and Adena Qel-Droma. They were able to convince one hundred fellow Jedi Bendu of what was happening and they formed a non-violent resistance movement.

The renamed Jedi Order fought back, attempting to expel the non-believers from their order. The Supreme Chancellor resulted to somewhat violent means, attempting to forcibly arrest the one hundred loyalists for treason. Qel-Droma attempted to make a stand against him and his men, though she came to realize that the insurrection was pointless and would achieve nothing.

Malachor and the others decided to leave the known galaxy and travel into the Unknown Regions, hoping to re-locate the mythical world of Kal'Shabbol. Qel-Droma declined to go with them and Malachor tried for days to get her to reconsider, though it was to no avail. Before the Jedi Bendu could leave, Malachor watched as Qel-Droma was kidnapped by the Supreme Chancellor’s men and put into a cryogenic sleep. Though he had wanted to help her, he knew that he could not risk the lives of his people. Therefore, they boarded their ships and made a fast getaway out of Republic space.

After a year of traveling and searching, they found Kal’Shabbol. What they also discovered there, much to their surprise, was a group of Human colonies spread out across the planet. When the colonists heard the news of the return of the Jedi Bendu, they were more than willing to agree to be led by them once again. Not knowing how they would proceed, Malachor ordered a village for the Jedi Bendu to be built. There, he assembled a new council that would decide the fate of their people.

After days of deliberation, he council decided to form a new order based on the old ways of The Skywalker and the Jedi Bendu. It was unanimously decided to name it the Bendu Order, in honor of what was lost in the formation of the Jedi Order. In an effort to keep their numbers small and protected, it was decreed that only those who dwelled on Kal’Shabbol would be accepted into the order, though exceptions could be made on a case-by-case basis. After coming up with the plans for their own complex, called the Temple of Light, it was decided that Malachor would be the first of what they called Bendu High Priests.

When the Temple was completed, the Bendu began setting up their training programs and command structures more efficiently. After meeting with the leaders of the villages, it was decided to unite them under a formal government led by the newly appointed Bendu Council of Priests, with the High Priest as their King. At first, Malachor was opposed to such an act. However, the decision had been made by the village leaders and the formal government was set up, one that would watch over Kal’Shabbol and the Ashlan Expanse for as long as it could.

The Voyager
"Then upon the farther shore will land the voyager at last."

- The Prophecy of the Voyager

When the order had first been created, it had been decided to let the villages create the laws of the planet rather than the Council of Priests, as Malachor and the council believed that the people should be able to decide how they would be governed. However, over the thousands of years that followed, many things began to change. Religious laws were created by the council that overruled and sometimes cast aside the laws that the villages had created. Only some were aware of the implications of such actions, though even fewer chose to speak up about it. The Malachor family always remained aware of it, each of them trying to speak up to no avail.

Almost eleven thousand years after the formation of the order, a group of travelers arrived on Kal’Shabbol with a woman in labor. The man who carried her introduced himself as Ussej Padric Bac and also introduced the woman as Aletra Jekkura. After the child was born, Ussej also introduced his son, Ussej Padric Bac II, and the child’s mother, Laili Jeyna Rendar. Shamus Malachor, the High Priest of the order at the time, asked why Ussej did not introduce Laili as his wife. When Ussej said that they were not married, despite having a child, many Bendu refused to speak with them or even acknowledge their presence.



Shamus, however, was not one of those people. He was hesitant after Ussej explained that he and the father of Aletra’s child were Sith Lords during the Great Territorial War that had just ended, though he found comfort in knowing that they had both been redeemed. Shamus explained that the laws of men had been lost and replaced by the laws of God, something his family had tried very hard to change to no avail. Shamus explained the story to the Council of Priests. After hearing about Ussej’s upbringing, they asked to see him. It was there that he presented them with the Medallion of the Saarai-Kar. They were shocked, to say the least, and after much deliberation believed Ussej to be the one spoken of in the Prophecy of the Voyager.

Decades later, after the successful liberation of Had Abaddon from the hands of Husen Al-Dubrir, Kal’Shabbol was attacked by the forces of Adena Qel-Droma, who had been the Sith Empress and later the one pulling Al-Dubrir’s strings. She desired vengeance due to Ussej’s hand in overthrowing the dictatorship and attacked him. After they made their way to the Holy Ridge of The Skywalker in the Ashlan Mountains, Ussej pulled Excelsior, the Sword of The Skywalker, from its resting place and killed Qel-Droma, though it also resulted in his death.

Ussej’s death was one of the most significant events in the history of the order. The Bendu Sages recorded that he became the Shaman of the Whills as the prophecy said he would and dwelled, as a spirit, on Ashlan Four with The Skywalker and the Order of the Whills. Because of what Ussej had done, Ussej Padric Bac II named his newborn son Ussej Padric Bac III and decreed that all first-born male sons of the Bac family on Kal’Shabbol would be named “Ussej Padric” in honor of his father.

Five years later, Ussej Padric Bac II and his wife, Bara ErMez, were also killed. They had traveled to Dxun to retrieve a supposed Jedi Bendu artifact when they found themselves in the middle of the final battle of the Great Rim Lines War. Ussej and Bara helped a young Colonel Cos Jonathan Dashin and the Jedi defeat the forces of the Sith Empire and the Mandalorians, they after the battle they were taken as prisoners of war and executed.

The Holy War
The most profound event in the history of the Bendu Order was the holy war that the Orders of the Bendu and the Shadourians launched against the Jedi Order, this war later becoming known as The Great Sovereign Crusades. It involved the use of guerilla warfare and terrorist attacks across the Galactic Republic, but all attacks were made against Jedi targets are Bendu High Priest Ussej Padric Bac III made it clear that civilians were not to be targeted.

Forty years after the death of Ussej Padric Bac, the Sith Lords were thought to have been destroyed by a Dark Jedi named Carden Mannux. However, it proved to be untrue. After the return of the Sith under the watch of the Dark Lord Viscerus and his apprentice Darth Dire, the Bendu Order left Kal’Shabbol, under the command of High Priest Ussej Padric Bac III, to help the Jedi Order against what they believed would be the armies of the Dark Lord of the Sith. However, the Jedi Order had become complacent and incompetent and, along with the Shadourian Order, the Bendu Order decided that they had to do something about it.

The Attacks
"You are letting simple and primitive discrimination get the best of you, causing you to make an irrational decision such as launching a campaign that has the potential to kill hundreds if not thousands of innocent civilians."

- Ussej Padric Bac



After a harrowing defeat at the Jedi Temple at the hands of the Sith Empire, both Ussej Padric Bac III and Shadourian Master Ein Nightblade, grandson of the famed Damien Nightblade, both knew that something had to be done about the Jedi Order. Not only did they witness a defeat on Coruscant, but prior to that the Jedi Order made fools of themselves on Yavin IV and allowed millions to suffer on Alderaan, Corellia and Mon Calamari due to a plague unleashed by the Sith. Nightblade approached Ussej and told him of his plan to launch a Holy War against the Jedi Order. The Shaman of the Whills spoke to his grandson and disagreed, though the Bendu High Priest began formulating a plan to let the Jedi Order know just how easy of a target they were.

Before the Holy War began, Ussej Padric Bac III was assigned to protect the daughter of Supreme Chancellor Cos Jonathan Dashin, a woman named Isabella Dashin. He escorted her to Naboo where the two began to fall for one another, but they were quickly separated by a Mandalorian assault. With the help of Kalel Kitsune, Ussej led the Republic Military to Onderon and freed Isabella from the forces of the Mandalorians in a quick and painless assault.



One month later, the attacks were ready to begin. Ussej and Ein Nightblade traveled to the Refugee Section on Nar Shaddaa under the cover of darkness and hired a former mercenary for a suicide mission on Barab One. The mercenary posed as a port technician at Barab One’s only docking port. When the Jedi Order allowed him onto their shuttle for what they assumed to be refueling, he dropped a match into the fuel lines and the shuttle, along with the entire port, was destroyed in a massive explosion that rocked the nearby tribal villages. The Bendu flagship was in the vicinity to monitor this and, hours later, posed as rescuers and gave the Jedi Masters safe passage back to Coruscant. He knew they had their suspicions, but they could not prove anything. However, he vowed to himself that more attacks would follow.

Days later on one fateful night, Isabella and Chancellor Dashin were having an argument about Ussej in the Office of the Supreme Chancellor. Carden Mannux swooped in and kidnapped her. Ussej attempted to stop him, but was knocked out by Carden. However, Ussej managed to get to his ship and chase the former Dark Lord, which resulted in Carden using a maneuver to trick the High Priest into believing that they had exploded. While en route to Mustafar, it was formally announced via HoloNet that Isabella Dashin had died in a failed rescue effort.



After failing to piece together the mystery of what happened on Barab 1, the Jedi Council decided to get back on with their normal day-to-day activities, though most on the Jedi Council suspected that Ussej and the Bendu Order had something to do with it. One fateful day, it was learned that Grandmaster Uric Kyrtus Kressh had gone missing so the Jedi Council called an open session of the Jedi Order. Ussej was in the rebuilt Jedi Temple at the time, so he decided to stay and back to listen to what was being said, as well as grandstand, letting the Jedi Council know through non-vocal means his dissatisfaction with these events. At the perfect moment, he revealed that he was the one behind the terrorist attacks on Barab 1 and, within minutes, left the planet, leaving the Jedi dazed and confused.

Weeks later, Ussej and Ein attacked and destroyed the ancient Jedi Academy on Telos IV, the same place where Ussej Padric Bac and Laili Jeyna Rendar were married, as wel as the long-abandoned Jedi Tower on the broken world of Taris. In total, there were no casualties but it sent shockwaves throughout the Jedi Order when Ussej and Ein informed the Jedi Council of it. Giving them a second chance at survival, Ussej demanded that the Jedi Order step down as the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy so that mantle could be turned over to those who were capable. After refusing to do so, the Bendu and Shadourian leaders assured them that more attacks would come, the next ones being deadly.

Less than one week later, the forces of the Bendu and the Shadourians attacked the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. First, a Shadourian fighter squad knocked out all communications and one of two hangar bays, leaving Dantooine isolated from the rest of the Galactic Republic. Bendu shuttles were quickly sent to the surface where four Jedi Knights were killed and brought back to the shuttles. Three Jedi Knights and Jedi Council Member Master Kal Yast, the Bendu’s primary target for the attack, were taken hostage and brought aboard the Bendu flagship.

Hours after the Bendu had left the Sith forces behind on Dantooine, Ussej planned on using the hostages as leverage for forcing the Jedi Order to surrender its position as the “guardians of peace and justice” in the Galactic Republic. Even after witnessing the brutal beheading of the Jedi Master Kal Yast in cold blood via HoloNet, the Jedi Order still refused to leave the Galactic Republic. Ussej now knew that more drastic action would have to be taken in order to ensure victory, even if he was beginning to question whether or not he was doing the right thing by waging war against the Jedi Order.

Ussej soon returned to Coruscant in a vessel stolen from Corellia and made his way to the Galactic Senate Office Building. It was there that he professed his deepest sorrow and regret to the Supreme Chancellor for Isabella’s death, though the Supreme Chancellor was surprisingly understanding. The Supreme Chancellor told him that he had forgave him long ago and now he only needed to forgive himself. With the apologies out of the way, the Supreme Chancellor told the Bendu High Priest that something needed to be done. Telling the Supreme Chancellor that he would do whatever needed to be done, Ussej was granted full authority and full access to any and all Galactic Republic resources he would need.

Later that afternoon, the Bendu High Priest ordered a group of Republic technicians to begin altering two Republic shuttlecrafts so they could be controlled via remote control. High-grade explosives were then placed into the cockpit. Kilometers away from the Jedi Temple, a Republic technician piloted the shuttles into the traffic lanes with the Bendu High Priest watching on. Swiftly and suddenly, the shuttles veered out of the traffic lanes and were rammed into two of the great spires of the Jedi Temple. Though the spires themselves remained intact, the sides of the spires collapsed to the ground leaving interior exposed. Dozens of Jedi Knights died in the resulting explosions, exactly as Ussej had planned it.



That night, the commanders of the Republic fleet began moving their vessels into a calculated orbit around Coruscant. When dawn came and the star that Coruscant orbited cast its first rays of light upon the city, Ussej and Supreme Commander Joshua Rydal stood on the bridge of the flagship of the Republic and prepared to remove the Jedi from the Galactic Republic once and for all. Ussej made contact with Jedi Master Khaluq Chan’drane and gave her two options: first, give up their mandate as guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic and leave Coruscant peacefully; two, watch and die as the Republic fleet fired upon the Jedi Temple, destroying it. However, the second option never came to fruition. Master Chan’drane and the Jedi Council agreed. By the end of the day, the Jedi Temple stood empty with not a single soul within its great halls. After months of war, the Bendu Order had finally won their holy crusades against the Jedi Order. The Shaman of the Whills was wrong and his grandson had seemingly proven that.



As he left Coruscant, the Force of Others drew him to the remote planet of Anaxes, though he knew not why it would do so. But, it did not take long to discover why. Khaluq Chan'drane was there, and he knew it was time to finally slay her. He followed her for a time, but when she realized he was behind her the search for her became harder. He followed her to an abandoned warehouse where he was able to bring out her darker emotions, angering her to her very core. When the time came, she used her anger to strike against her though she was no match for a Bendu High Priest. However, when he was in a position to finally strike her down, he hesitated. He would not destroy an unarmed opponent, and after careful consideration he realized that she truly was not worth the effort it would take to kill her. He knew he had bested her and that was enough for him.

Savoring his victories, the Bendu High Priest returned to Ashla’s Light and began to meditate on what had transpired. However, his meditations were interrupted as the ship’s tractor beam locked onto a small shuttle that had been drifting through space. Ussej made his way to the shuttle bay to discover something he never thought possible: Isabella was alive, though her body was naked and battered with obvious signs of torture and rape. As Isabella was rushed to the Medical Wing, the High Priest contacted Kalel Kitsune to deliver the news.

A day later, Kalel arrived at the Bendu flagship. At first, he simply struck Ussej across the jaw, cracking the bones. Kalel accused Ussej of bringing this entire ordeal upon them and talked of how tortured he had been thinking that Isabella was dead. Ussej desperately wanted to tell him that he too was tortured, as he cared deeply for Isabella and thinking that he killed her tore him up inside. But, he couldn’t. He discovered a fundamental truth about himself and a truth about his feelings for Isabella. He did not truly love her. He loved the idea of her and the idea of filling the empty and lonely void within his heart that had been there since his wife had died. He knew that Kalel and Isabella were destined to be together and he would no longer stand in the way of that. He let Kalel enter the room alone, walking away as the two lovers were reunited.



After leaving the Medical Wing, he stepped onto the bridge where he found a HoloNet broadcast of a live speech by Chancellor Dashin. In it, he told the Galactic Senate that he was attacked by a Dark Lord of the Sith who threatened that he and his family and loved ones would be murdered unless he resigned. The Chancellor announced his resignation and then placed his full support behind long-time friend and political ally Senator Romulus Augustus. Ussej returned to the Medical Wing to tell Kalel this, as well as to report the results of a medical report: Isabella had given birth to a child, a child that belonged to her and the Bendu High Priest. The three were shocked to hear this news. After a few days, Isabella and Kalel left leaving the Bendu to prepare to go home to Kal’Shabbol, as Ussej now knew that the Holy War was the wrong course of action.

Days later, Isabella went to the Outer Rim world where the Bendu Order was preparing their vessel for takeoff. She and Ussej argued about his leaving, but in the end she left without so much as a true goodbye due to her frustration with him. Ussej regretted the things he had said, but knew that regrets no longer mattered. Hours later, he met up with the Shadourian flagship where he told Kage Tatsujin his feelings on the Holy War and that they were going home to Kal’Shabbol. Ussej left the ship, seeing the look of betrayal and anger in the eyes of the Shadourian Master and hoped that he wouldn’t do anything rash.

Peace
After the death of Ussej Padric Bac III, the newly elected High Priest Jos Corwin Rendar helped the Bendu Order rebuild itself from the ground up. During this time, there were not only changes in appearance to a more formal and monk-like style among some but also a change in the way the Bendu Order viewed itself. Ussej Padric Bac, Ussej Padric Bac II and Ussej Padric Bac III all helped them to realize what happens when you let pride get to you. Because of this, they vowed to only protect the Ashlan Expanse and stay out of the affairs of the Galactic Republic, as the Jedi Order was the rightful protector of the galactic body. This newfound peace within the Bendu Order would last for almost four thousand years.

The Rebel Alliance
During a routine training session, the Bendu were contacted by Mon Mothma, a former Senator in the Old Republic and Galactic Empire. Mon Mothma told High Priest Ussej Padric Bac LXIV of how the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order had fallen, adding that the Dark Guardians of Lettow now carried out the will of the Dark Lord of the Sith, the one who had crowned himself Galactic Emperor. Though this was disturbing to him, especially the idea that Carden Mannux had indeed successfully created the Dark Guardians of Lettow, he refused to have the Bendu Order leave Kal’Shabbol to help.



Hours later, Ussej vanished from the High Priest’s Chambers within the Bendu Temple of Light and mysteriously reappeared on Ashlan Four, the planet that housed the legendary Journal of the Whills. It was there that he found his ancestor, the Shaman of the Whills, looking just as he did when he had spoken with Ussej Padric Bac III thousands of years before. The Shaman told his descendant that he knew what had taken place with Mon Mothma and urged the High Priest to reconsider. Though Ussej at first refused the Shaman’s plea, he soon gave in and agreed to leave Kal’Shabbol to help in the fight against the Dark Lord of the Sith. Ussej was sent back to Kal’Shabbol where he later addressed the Bendu Order and all of the people of Kal’Shabbol. Ussej told them what had taken place and that they were going to be leaving to help the Alliance to Restore the Republic. The Bendu Order was at first outraged, as they still had resentment towards the Jedi Order left over from The Great Sovereign Crusades, but they soon agreed after wise words from the High Priest. Just hours later, they boarded their flagship and headed wherever the Force of Others wanted to take them.

The Bendu Order would later go on to help secure a Rebel Victory on the planet Endor, help destroy the Dark Guardians of Lettow and help win The Galactic Civil War.

Path
Becoming a Bendu required the most profound commitment and astute mind. The life of a Bendu was one of sacrifice. Those that showed an aptitude for the Force of Others began their training no later than their thirteenth birthday to train the Bendu Temple of Light. From the beginning of their training, Bendu were expected to always keep a strong sense of self-discipline, knowledge, faith and prayer in their lives. Emotions such as hate, anger and fear were expected to be used only at the proper time. The Bendu Order did not believe these to be destructive, but rather healthy when used properly.

Training
A Bendu Apprentice is taught the powers of the Force of Others, the intricacies of the Ashla and the Bogan, the history of the Bendu Order and the philosophies that the Bendu Order lives by. A Bendu Apprentice is also taught the art of the sword, though that would come much later in the stages of training as the Bendu Order feels that the more you know about philosophies and powers then the more naturally one would be able to perform with a sword. at the end of training, a Bendu Apprentice is faced with the challenge of completing the Trial of Wills, a rigorous ordeal that tests an Apprentice physically and mentally, before ascending to the level of Bendu Knight.

Sword Training
"This weapon is your life."

- Ussej Padric Bac

The traditional Bendu weapon was the sword 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 swordplay against other students with soft blades. Due to the weight of the weapon, Bendu needed heightened awareness, thus, such conditioning honed their attunement to the Force of Others.

Bendu would be tasked with crafting their own sword once the Force of Others showed them their own personal symbol, this symbol being the main focus of the sword hilt. The construction of a proper blade was considered a milestone on the path to Bendu Knighthood and took on a heavy symbolic meaning.

Religion

 * Main article: Bendu Religion

The religion that the Bendu Order follows is much like the religion of the old Jedi Bendu Order, both being very different from the Jedi Order. The Bendu Order recognize that there is a God and that he dwells on a planet called Heaven, found in another dimension of space and time than the one they reside in. The name of this God is Yahweh, and he is the entity that is the Force of Others. Yahweh had spoke to a man named Jedi Bendu on the highest peak of Mount Sky on Had Abaddon and dubbed him The Skywalker, as he was the only one who was able to climb to the top of Mount Sky and live to tell the tale. Yahweh has allowed his chosen people, those being the creatures that are sensitive to the Force of Others, to manipulate him to use his powers for good. However, once he allowed this to happen the darkness of the galaxy was able to tap into it which led to many groups such as the Dark Jedi Bendu, Dark Jedi and the Sith.

Many Bendu and non-Bendu alike have challenged the existence of Yahweh in the past. Though they all universally recognize the existence of the Force of Others, many do not believe that The Skywalker spoke to Yahweh because, as they put it, "no God in our existence would be foolish enough to allow mere mortals access to his unlimited power". These claims have always been dismissed, and from The Great Sovereign Crusades onward no Bendu ever doubted the existence of Yahweh or The Skywalker.

Bendu Code
"Wherever your journey may take you, let this prayer be your guide. Your wings may take you so very far away from here, but always remember that this prayer is what makes you who you are."

- Ussej Padric Bac

There is a major difference between the way the Bendu Order looks at their code and the way the Jedi Order looks at theirs. The Jedi Order sees the Jedi Code as a set of rules and a burden, always making sure that they follow it as if it was a law. The Bendu Code, written by Zios Malachor, simply states what a Bendu can do by using the Ashla. The Bendu Order sees their code as a prayer, rather than a burden. The Bendu Code is as follows:




 * From the Ashla, we find emotion
 * From the Ashla, we find peace
 * From the Ashla, we gain knowledge
 * From the Ashla, we find passion
 * From the Ashla, we fear not
 * Through the Ashla, we gain eternal life
 * Through the Ashla, we find love
 * Love is the answer to the darkness
 * Love can ignite the stars.
 * - The Bendu Code

Proverbs of Ussej Padric Bac


"Be all you can be."

- Ussej Padric Bac

Before the end of his mortal life, Saint Ussej Padric Bac the First wrote in his journals fifteen proverbs that he believed all beings of the galaxy should follow. This journal was found by his son, Priest Ussej Padric Bac II, and became required studying for all Bendu Apprentices working towards Knighthood. They became known as the Proverbs of Ussej Padric Bac, and have been followed by the Bendu Order ever since the departure of Saint Ussej Padric Bac from his mortal journey.


 * 1) Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.


 * 2) As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all beings.


 * 3) Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant for they too have a story. Avoid loud and aggressive beings, as they are the vexations to the living spirit within us all.


 * 4) If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter for always there will be greater and lesser beings than yourself.


 * 5) Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.


 * 6) Exercise caution in your dealings with others, for the galaxy is full of trickery. But, let this not blind you to the virtue there is. Many beings strive for high ideals, as even in the darkness there always rises a hero.


 * 7) Do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.


 * 8) Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.


 * 9) Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, but do not stress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.


 * 10) Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the galaxy, no less than the tress and the stars. You have a right to be here.




 * 11) Whether or not it is clear to you, never doubt that the galaxy is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with Force, or whatever you may conceive a higher power to be.


 * 12) Whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a vast and beautiful galaxy.


 * 13) You cannot escape death. Death, not just of the corporeal body, but of all manifestations of the mind is inevitable. It is the way of all things....the Way of the Force. When someone is dying of thirst it is too late to dig a well. If you wait until you are upon your deathbed to practice the Way, it will be too late. Death will not wait a moment longer than it is ready. Do not be lazy, but be steadfast as a serious, deeply committed warrior is steadfast. Life is impermanence. All things are subject to change, as nothing can last forever.


 * 14) Beware the binding tractor beam of attachment, for a being who is attached to his body, his thoughts, his feelings, his beliefs, his percepts or his consciousness is imprisoned and can never know true freedom. To commit to the Way is to give up selfish desires and to live for the benefit of all beings whether they be Gungan, Ewok, Bendu, Jedi or Sith.


 * 15) Redemption comes from the release of self, not the exaltation of self. It comes through compassion, not greed. One lone candle is enough to fight the darkness. Love is more than a candle. Love is the answer to the darkness. Love can ignite the stars.

Pillars of Strength


"Jedi Master Mace Windu once said, 'Justice is the fundamental bedrock of civilization: an unjust civilization is built upon sand. It does not long survive a storm.' If you remain forever cognizant of this, you will be able to win this fight."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

A famous Jedi Master would once say something that would sum up the feelings of both the Jedi Order and the Bendu Order. In the context of the Bendu Order, Bendu do not fight for peace. That is only a slogan and it is as misleading as slogans always are. Bendu fight for civilization, because only civilization creates peace. They 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.

The strength of the Bendu Order's organization and the prayer that is the Bendu Code rested on the five major principles:


 * Self-discipline
 * Knowledge
 * The Force of Others
 * Divine Faith
 * Prayer

When used correctly, they would allow a Bendu to solve any problem and overcome any obstacle they might face.

Hierarchy


"Your rank is no more than a simple title. It's what you do with this simple title that is truly important."

- Zios Malachor

Bendu Hopeful - A Bendu Hopeful is a child no older than thirteen who shows a great sensitivity to the Force of Others. When a Bendu Hopeful reached thirteen years of age, they would meet with the Council of Priests and eventually solely the Bendu High Priest who would then determine whether or not they would be accepted for training within the Bendu Order. If accepted, the High Priest would instruct them the accepted one where, when and with whom they would begin their training. If they were not accepted, they would return to their lives within the villages, never being able to request training again. Very rarely would a candidate be turned away.

Bendu Apprentice - The first stage of Bendu training. A Bendu Apprentice is taught the powers of the Force of Others, the intricacies of the Ashla and the Bogan, the history of the Bendu Order and the philosophies that the Bendu Order lives by. A Bendu Apprentice is also taught the art of the sword, though that would come much later in the stages of training as the Bendu Order feels that the more you know about philosophies and powers then the more naturally one would be able to perform with a sword. at the end of training, a Bendu Apprentice is faced with the challenge of completing the Trial of Wills, a rigorous ordeal that tests an Apprentice physically and mentally, before ascending to the level of Bendu Knight.

Bendu Knight - Only after completing the Trial of Wills and being deemed worthy by the Council of Priests can a Bendu Apprentice ascend to the level of Bendu Knight. The Knights of the Bendu are the guardians of peace and justice within the Ashlan Expanse, though they are rarely called off of Kal’Shabbol for help in the peaceful region of space. Although a Bendu Knight has completed the bulk of his training, he would still study the ancient texts found within the Bendu Archives and would continue to receive some instruction on more challenging forms of philosophy and powers from the Bendu Priests. Should they be called upon to do so, a Bendu Knight would take on a Bendu Apprentice of their own.

Bendu Priest - After the successful training of a Bendu Apprentice, a Bendu Knight may be considered to become a Bendu Priest. However, there are only fifty Priests within the Bendu Order, one for each major village on Kal’Shabbol. If the Council of Priests deems a Bendu Knight to be a resourceful and innovative leader within the Bendu Order and feels that the Knight is truly ready to be exposed to a higher calling, they will appoint him to be a Bendu Priest. Priests do not reside in the Bendu Temple of Light, though they visit their on an almost daily basis. They reside within the village they were chosen to oversee and lead weekly religious services in and help the villagers with any problems they may encounter. Though they continue to oversee the Ashlan Expanse somewhat, their main focus is serving as the religious and political leaders of the villages. Should a Bendu Priest truly shine above the rest of his peers, he would be considered for a seat on the Council of Priests. Perhaps the most famous of Bendu Priest's is Ussej Padric Bac II, as he was credited for a major shift in thinking when it comes self-pride.




 * Council of Priests - Very few Bendu Priests were invited to serve on the Council of Priests, the governing body of the Bendu Order. The Council was made up almost exclusively of wise, experienced Priests and High Priests. One’s seat on the Council of Priests lasted until death or resignation.

Bendu High Priest - Though the Council of Priests is mostly a group of equals, one will serve above the rest. This is the Bendu High Priest, and there is only one at a time. A Bendu High Priest is chosen by the Council of Priests for a life term upon the death of his predecessor and serves as the leader of the Bendu Order, as well as the unofficial “King” of Kal’Shabbol. He is responsible for all training and religious activity within the Bendu Order and on Kal’Shabbol, as well as the political activity on the planet. Perhaps the most famous of Bendu High Priest’s are Ussej Padric Bac, Ussej Padric Bac III and Ussej Padric Bac LXIV, as they were all credited with making major changes to the Bendu Order for the better.

Sainthood
Sainthood was by far the highest honor any Bendu could ever hope to attain, though in truth it was rarely thought about or spoken of in public. The honor of Bendu Saint was given posthumously to only a few Bendu High Priests, and occasionally a Bendu Priest, based on their achievements in life. The only true criteria is that a candidate brought about a major shift in any facet of the Bendu Order and that they had the love, respect and trust of not only the Bendu but of all the people of Kal’Shabbol. Few have received this posthumous honor in the history of the Bendu Order, including but not limited to:


 * Zios Malachor
 * Ussej Padric Bac
 * Laili Jeyna Rendar
 * Kit Corwin Rendar
 * Ussej Padric Bac II
 * Ussej Padric Bac III
 * Jos Corwin Rendar

Culture, History and Knowledge
After the end of The Great Sovereign Crusades, the Bendu Order adopted a historical and cultural hierarchy that the Jedi Order had been using for years. Some Bendu ended up specializing in history, the Force of Others and the Bendu Order, producing invaluable knowledge throughout the thousands of years following the war.


 * Bendu Archaeologist - A Bendu who had specialized in gaining historical knowledge through Archeology by being sent on expeditions across the Ashlan Expanse and other points of interest in the Unknown Regions.
 * Bendu Historian - A Bendu who had specialized in chronicling the true history of the galaxy, including the Jedi Bendu Order, the Jedi Order, the Sith Order and the Bendu Order. A Bendu Historian knew virtually everything about the pasts of the four Orders.
 * Bendu Librarian - A Bendu who had specialized in administrating the vast scrolls and journals of knowledge. The Bendu Librarians were in charge of all archives and libraries across Kal’Shabbol.
 * Bendu Sage - A Bendu Priest that dedicated themselves to the mysteries of the Force of Others. The Bendu Sages had deep insights into the philosophies of the Force of Others and were highly skilled users of many powers within the Force of Others. Many times, the Bendu High Priest would call upon his own personal Bendu Sage for guidance.

War Tactics
"A holy war? Do you really think that religious killings will solve anything?"

- Ussej Padric Bac

During the many thousands of years that the Bendu Order watched over the Ashlan Expanse, not a single war broke out within that area of space. The Bendu Order only became involved in two wars, the first being The Great Sovereign Crusades and the second being The Galactic Civil War. The Bendu would not officially hand out military ranks, though some Knights and Priests ended up taking over greater roles than others. The High Priest and Council of Priests oversaw the war efforts, and the remainder of the Priests served as unofficial Generals in charge of the Bendu Knights.

Occasional Diplomacy
Very rarely were Bendu called upon to act as impartial diplomats across the Ashlan Expanse, though it did occur from time to time. When it occurred, a group of Bendu Priests would be sent to the world in question and would serve as moderators and negotiators during the disputes. The judgment of the Bendu Priests would be final, with no way to appeal it.

Instruction
Within the Bendu Order, there were not only Knight to Apprentice or Priest to Apprentice relationships when it came to instruction in the way of the Bendu. Many Bendu Knights and Priests preferred to teach certain aspects in the course of Bendu Training such as philosophy, the art of the sword and powers of the Force of Others. The positions are much like those of the Jedi Order.


 * Bendu Instructor - A Bendu accountable for giving general teaching to Hopefuls, Apprentices and the occasional Knight or Priest. Many times, Bendu Instructors are members of the Council of Priests as they are generally in the Bendu Temple of Light.
 * Bendu Swordmaster - A Bendu highly skilled in the art of the sword. The Bendu Swordmaster was the sword combat instructor at the Bendu Temple of Light.
 * Bendu Trainer - A Bendu Apprentice or Bendu Knight responsible for teaching and instructing a certain aspect of the Force of Others. The Bendu Trainers were vital components in the education of Bendu Knights throughout the history of the Bendu Order.

Prophecies
The Prophecies of The Skywalker were a set of writings that foretold the coming of kings, rulers and other legendary figures throughout history. From the time of the exodus off of Had Abaddon to his death on Kal'Shabbol, many visions came to The Skywalker which led him to write eight distinct prophecies that would span over one hundred thousand years and multiple galaxies. He wrote them within his own sacred journals and they were eventually some of the first entries of the Journal of the Whills after the establishment of the Order of the Whills.

The coming of many noteworthy figures in history was prophesied by The Skywalker before his death. Such figures include Ussej Padric Bac, his descendants, Carden Mannux, Darth Bane, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker and Patrick Keylan Bac, a man who lived on Earth after the Jedi Bendu were forced to exile themselves there.

Because such notable figures in history were prophesied by The Skywalker, the prophecies themselves gained galactic attention over time. Had it not been for the efforts of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker and Ussej Padric Bac LXIV, they would not have seen the light of day for thousands of more years as it was the reunification of the Jedi Order and the Bendu Order into the new Jedi Bendu Order that allowed them to be published for the galaxy-at-large to read and cherish.

Mythical Worlds
There are many worlds in the long history of the Ashlan Expanse that have played a key role in the founding of the Jedi Bendu Order and the Bendu Order. Many are known to exist, though others are still the subject of much debate. Only faith can truly prove the existence of some of these worlds, as their locations have been lost forever.


 * Ashlan Three - Not much is known about the mythical world of Ashlan Three, other than the fact that it was once a very poor and desolate world and that it was the birthplace of The Skywalker. Though the planet is believed to still be inhabited, the location of this sacred planet had been lost throughout the ages. Many within the Ashlan Expanse do not believe that it even exists, nor that The Skywalker existed, but the Bendu Order still believes it to be a real place, albeit shrouded in mystery. The only remaining record of it’s existence is a quote from the Journal of the Whills, excerpted from the Commentaries of Jedi Bendu Master Cresh, where Master Cresh states that “that majority of these facts are not in dispute my fellow Jedi Bendu Masters - that The Skywalker lived, that he came from Ashlan Three and lived on Had Abaddon one hundred centuries ago, that he and his twelve children were the first of the Jedi Bendu and that their descendants are prophesied to help form a “Galactic Republic” in which all of civilization will be unified.”


 * Ashlan Four - On his deathbed, The Skywalker told his twelve children that their “descendants will go out among the stars and find a race of great wisdom called the Whills. They will accept their destiny and follow the Jedi Bendu to this system and dwell within the light of the Ashlan Nebula. On the fourth planet, they will record our story”. By the time of The Great Sovereign Crusades, Ashlan Four had been home to the Whills for seventy-five thousand years, fifty thousand years longer than the life span of the Galactic Republic itself. The planet is not their world of origin, the name of which has been forgotten, but in deference to the Whills no other races have settled there. Most of Ashlan Four is still a wilderness. The cool, wet mountains are home to the graceful Shri Haws, high-flying avian predators who feed on the local population of Scurriers. The peaks are also roamed by sturdy, six-legged Thor Goats. The most dangerous animals, the voracious yet slow-witted giant Vlids, have long since learned not to approach the monastery. How this was accomplished is unknown, though some suspect it to be the powers of the Force of Others calling out to the beasts themselves. Much like Ashlan Three, the location of Ashlan Four was lost through the ages.




 * Kal'Shabbol - Not to be confused with the Outer Rim world of Kal’Shebbol, Kal'Shabbol was once a Jedi Bendu world and later became the sole residence of the Bendu Order. This world was the first in the Ashlan Expanse to bear life, which is why the Jedi Bendu of the Ashla were so desperate to find it before the death of The Skywalker. Because it was the first planet to bear life, the Force of Others was stronger here than on most other worlds, though it was not the strongest source of the Force of Others. When the Jedi Bendu arrived, they set up their conclave in the habitable region of what they called the Ashlan Mountains. Deep within the mountains, they buried their scriptures so that only they would know where to find them. They soon began to watch over the inhabitants of the world, introducing them to the ways of the Force of Others. Once the Jedi Bendu Order split into two, a group loyal to the old ways settled on Kal’Shabbol and formed the Bendu Order.


 * Tirnanog - Tirnanog, a planet on the edge of the Ashlan Expanse, is said in legends to be the “Planet of Eternal Youth”. This sacred world has only been stepped upon by the few and the foolish, as it is warned in ancient Jedi Bendu and Bendu lore that the lust for eternal youth can drive a person over the edge and onto the path of the Bogan. Little is known about this world other than it is a tropical paradise that played a major role in The Ashlan Wars. Few within the Bendu Order know of its location, and none outside of the Order itself know of its existence.

Behind the Scenes

 * The Bendu Order was created by Brandon Rhea based off of the limited information given by George Lucas in the original drafts of The Star Wars about the formation and philosophies of the Jedi Bendu Order. The majority of the information about the formation of the Bendu Order, which is mostly the story of The Skywalker, is based off of The Journal of the Whills, a novel by Brendan J. Whalberg.
 * The God (Yahweh) that the Bendu worship is the same Judeo-Christian God worshiped on Earth.
 * The name of the High Priests, a board of members that have been appointed to oversee the nominations of Good Articles and provide constructive criticism or praise on the nominations of Good Articles, is an homage to the rank of Bendu High Priest.

Appearances

 * The Beginning: The Legend of The Skywalker
 * Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac II
 * Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac III
 * Lettow: The Curse of Carden Mannux
 * Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Beginning
 * Star Wars: Episode V - Shadows of the Republic