The Jedi Order was an ancient monastic peacekeeping organization unified by its belief and observance of the Force, specifically the light side. The Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic, and became the most famous of the various groups that relied on the Force for their power. Led by a series of Jedi Councils, the Order grew over the millennia despite facing many trials, most often threats from the Sith, wielders of the dark side of the Force.
History Of The Jedi Order
Founding Of The Jedi Order
How the Jedi Order first began is known only to Alia who was there during the Force Wars on Tython. From what little information that she has revieled, the Jedi were formed from one of two splinter groups that broke away from the Je'daii Order.
After defeating the followers of Bogan on Tython during the Force Wars, these 'Jedi' eventually turned on the Je'daii Order who had suffered great losses while trying to maintain the fragile balance on the planet. Alia who was on of only a few Je'daii to survive the massacre told Qui-Gon Jinn many centuries later of what transpired on Tython.
After the fragile balance on Tython was destroyed the surviving Jedi were forced to flee the planet. Doing so they had no choice by the leave the Tython System and head out into the galaxy.
A New Beginning For the Jedi Order
Traveling between the stars, the fledgling Jedi Order fled the Deep Core heading for Wild Space, a part of the galaxy which had yet to be explored. During this expedition the Jedi discovered a planet that appeared to be similar to Tython and settled on the world calling it Ossus.
There the Jedi Order formed an academy but remained in seclusion for many years. This academy was dedicated to the study of Ashla or the light side of the force as it would later be called as well as warning against the evils of Bogan or the Dark Side.
Despite keeping themselves distant from the newly formed Galactic Republic the Jedi Order welcomed force sensitives into their ranks. This would be expanded to include other philosophies as well as assimilating others into the Order.
Around 25,000 BBY the Jedi Order eventually agreed to become part of the growing Galactic Republic and began to take up the position of Guardians of the galaxy.
The First Schism
For many centuries the Jedi Order had absolute control over the force as well as force users in general across the known galaxy. However as time went on, splinter groups began to form that favoured views that went against Jedi Teachings. Once such group was known of the Legions Of Lettow
The Legions Of Lettow formed when a respected Jedi Knight, Xendor became a vocal opponent to the Order's increasingly exclusionary ways and was eager to learn the techniques and teachings of representatives from other Force traditions also studying on Ossus.
One of his closest allies was a Steel Hand of Palawa named Arden Lyn, the two of them would speak in leaning about their views away from the eyes and ears of the Jedi High Council. Eventually the two fell in love and began a relationship.
After a while Xendor went before the Jedi Council requesting permission to open a new academy that would teach a broader view on things that the Jedi currently did. The Council was outraged by this and immediately rejected the idea. Seeing the Council's reaction to this caused Xendor to resign from the Jedi Order.
Leavis Ossus, Xendor traveled to the planet of Lettow where he opened his own academy. This academy drew on many different philosophies which included the Dai Bendu, the Followers of Palawa, the Kashi Mer Guardians of Breath, the Baran Do, and the Chatos Academy.
At first Xendor's academy did not take in that many students. However as word spread of this new academy, it's numbers began to swell.
After a few short years the Jedi Order grew extremely concerned about Xendor's followers and decided to put an end tho what they perceived as a threat to the Order, calling it a Schism that could not be allowed to continue.
To that end the Jedi Council would openly declare war against Xendor and his followers, going as far as to manipulate the Republic into declaring Xendor a warlord. However this was far from the truth as Xendor and his followers did not wish to enter a war. Unfortunately the Jedi Order did not give them any other choice as a war did brake out.
Near the end of the war Xendor was killed leaving Arden Lyn to take command. The war itself did not last long and by the end, nearly all of Xender's followers had been killed.
The Second Schism
Around 7,000 BBY a Second Schism would accure and would later be known as the Hundred Year Darkness.
The schism formed as a result of the Order's reaction to a group of heretical Dark Jedi that were experimenting with forbidden alchemy. The monstrosities that arose from this were deemed abominations to the Force by the High Council and a war was began to end the practice of these dark arts.
By the time of this Schism the lightsaber was created in a way that was useful in hand-to-hand combat. Used before as a siege weapon due to its massive power pack, the Order's scientists were able to create a transportable power pack which could be worn on the belt of the user.
Crossing blades with the heretics, the Jedi Order finally saw the end of the conflict with the victory at the battle of Corbos in 6900 BBY. There the Jedi Order arrested the twelve surviving Dark Jedi, led by High General Ajunta Pall, and banished them to Wild Space. Unknown to the Jedi, these Exiles would land on the planet Korriban, homeworld of the Sith species, and conquer the natives, deeming themselves the Dark Lords of the Sith.
Shortly after settling on Korriban, a splinter group of exiles, led by Remulus Dreypa, returned to Republic space to enact vengeance, but were intercepted by a Jedi patrol. The Jedi pursued those Sith across the galaxy, until both factions crash-landed on the planet Kesh. After a period of fighting, the two factions made peace and formed a new organization called the Doomed, striving to achieve balance between the light and the dark sides of the force. Meanwhile, the Korriban Sith would eventually move their headquarters to Ziost where they would form the massive Sith Empire, an Order of dark side warriors who would dream of crushing their Jedi oppressors.
The Dark Times Approach
32 BBY The Sith Return
32 Years before the Battle Of Yavin the Jedi Council become aware that the Sith have returned when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Padawan Padmé Amidala encounter a Zabrak on Tatooine after escaping the blockade of Naboo by the Trade Federation.
They would again encounter this Zabrak during the liberation of Naboo and another force user by the name of Alia would kill him before he can kill Qui-Gon Jinn. An examination of the Zabrak's body led the Council to conclude that the Sith had indeed returned.
Organization Of The Jedi Order
Leadership
The Jedi Order were led by a group of Masters called the Jedi Council which was then split into four individual councils.
Jedi High Council
The Jedi High Council, also known simply as the Jedi Council, was the primary Jedi Council of the Jedi Order during the rule of the Galactic Republic. The High Council met in the southwest tower of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The High Council was comprised of a group of twelve Jedi Masters who were elected to guide the Order as well as to serve as an advisory body for the Office of the Supreme Chancellor.
The Council was made up of five lifetime members, four long-term members, and three limited-term members. This organizational structure had evolved from the earlier assemblies of Jedi Masters, and during the Great Hyperspace War may have been nothing more than an "inner circle" within the assembly. The Council originally had no set meeting place, and met irregularly on planets such as Ossus, Alderaan, and Chandrila. With the relocation of the Order from Ossus to Coruscant, the Council was permanently established on that world.
Council of First Knowledge
The Council of First Knowledge was one of the four Jedi Councils of the Jedi Order in operation during the rule of the Galactic Republic. The Council of First Knowledge met in the Council Chambers atop the northwest tower of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The Council of First Knowledge was made up of five Masters selected to oversee the Jedi academy and the proliferation of knowledge and its storage in the Temple Archives.
Additionally, the Council personally accepted the responsibility of eradicating any trace of Sith teachings and their artifacts throughout the galaxy. Meeting in the circular Council Chamber at the Jedi Temple, membership on the Council was granted through appointment after a vote of all members.
A single permanent member sat for life or until they stepped down, and was known as the Caretaker of First Knowledge for they personally oversaw the protection of the Holocron Chamber located in the spire.
The other four Masters rotated out after serving a five year term. Members of the Council often served on one of the other Councils simultaneously, or had retired from the High Council and retained their membership.
Council of Reconciliation
The Council of Reconciliation, sometimes referred to as the Reconciliation Council, was one of the four Jedi Councils of the Jedi Order in operation during the rule of the Galactic Republic. The Council of Reconciliation met in the southeast tower of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The Council of Reconciliation was made up of five Master Consulars tasked with negotiating with political factions both inside and outside of the Galactic Senate.
Meeting in the circular Council Chamber at the Jedi Temple, membership on the Council was granted through appointment after a vote of all members. Two permanent members sat for life or until they stepped down, while the other three rotated out after serving a five year term.
Due to the nature of the Council's dealings, variety in membership was needed, so that different Masters could lend their knowledge and expertise to a specific situation.
Council of Reassignment
The Council of Reassignment was one of the four Jedi Councils of the Jedi Order in operation during the rule of the Galactic Republic. The Reassignment Council met in the northeast tower of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The Council of Reassignment was made up of five Jedi Masters tasked with leading the Jedi Service Corps and the Councils that governed each branch. Meeting in the austere Council Chamber at the Jedi Temple, membership on the Council was granted through appointment after a vote of all members. Two permanent members sat for life or until they stepped down, while the other three rotated out after serving a five year term.
Jedi Ranks
As the Jedi were instructed in the ways of the Order and of the Force, each member progressed through several different ranks.
Initiate
Jedi Initiate (or Youngling or "Jedi Hopeful") – The youngest members of the Order, these Force-sensitive child 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.
Padawan
Jedi Padawan – After being selected for individual tutelage under a single Jedi Knight or Jedi Master, Initiates were given the title of Padawan; a word derived from the Je'daii Order.
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; non-haired Padawans were encouraged to wear a type of jewelery, a tattoo, or other body modification.
A Jedi Knight or Jedi Master could have only one apprentice at a time. 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 revoked should the Order see a decline in number, and necessity forces the apprenticeship of several students to a single master.
Following several unsuccessful attempts at the Initiate Trials or if a student is 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 chosen to leave the Order entirely.
Knight
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.
Master
Jedi Master – A Knight who showed great understanding of the Force and managed to instruct a Padawan and train them successfully to the level of a Jedi Knight was 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.
Jedi Code
The Jedi Code was a code of conduct that established rules and modes of behavior for all Jedi. Although changing in style through the generations, the main tenets, context and meaning of the code stayed the same.
Mantra
One of the key portions of the Code was a five-line mantra. Several versions of the mantra exist, though the original version was:
- Emotion, yet peace.
- Ignorance, yet knowledge.
- Passion, yet serenity.
- Chaos, yet harmony.
- Death, yet the Force.
The refined version established by Odan-Urr and transcribed by Homonix Rectonia during the Early Manderon Period was perhaps the best known:
- There is no emotion, there is peace.
- There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
- There is no passion, there is serenity.
- There is no chaos, there is harmony.
- There is no death, there is the Force.
- —The Jedi Code (Based on the meditations of Odan-Urr)
The Jedi High Council Members
32 BBY
- Yoda
- Mace Windu
- Ki-Adi-Mundi
- Adi Gallia
- Plo Koon
- Saesee Tiin
- Eeth Koth
- Even Piell
- Depa Billaba
- Oppo Rancisis
- Yaddle
- Yarael Poof
22 BBY
- Yoda
- Mace Windu
- Ki-Adi-Mundi
- Adi Gallia
- Plo Koon
- Saesee Tiin
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Even Piell
- Depa Billaba
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Replacing Depa Billaba after her fall.)
- Oppo Rancisis
- Coleman Trebor
- Shaak Ti
19 BBY
- Yoda
- Mace Windu
- Ki-Adi-Mundi
- Adi Gallia
- Plo Koon
- Saesee Tiin
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Anakin Skywalker (Appointed by Chancellor Palpatine as part of his grand plan)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Oppo Rancisis
- Coleman Trebor
- Shaak Ti
The Dark Times 19 BBY - 4 ABY
- Yoda (Until Death, 4 ABY)
- Qui-Gon Jinn (Until Death, 12 BBY)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Until Death, 0 BBY)
- Anakin Skywalker (Promoted to Jedi Master by Yoda after the fall of the Republic.)
- Padmé Amidala (Promoted to Jedi Master by Yoda after the fall of the Republic.)
The Chosen One
The prophecy of the Chosen One was an ancient Jedi legend that foretold the coming of a being who would restore balance to the Force. However the Jedi view balance in the force as the light side and considered the dark side as the imbalance.
The prophecy was one of hundreds of obscure legends maintained by the Jedi Order, though its origins and actual content remain unknown. It was thought to have been created by the earliest Jedi philosophers, after the creation of the Galactic Republic but before the Jedi assumed an active role in it.
The prophecy would come into question when Qui-Gon Jinn encountered a young boy named Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine. The young boy had no biological father leading the Jedi Master to conclude that Skywalker had been conceived by the will of the Force. This was in fact true, but the Jedi prophecy on the Chosen One was inaccurate and had been twisted so that it fell inline with Jedi beliefs.
The Jedi Council feared Skywalker's rise in power as he was outside the control of the Jedi Order many believed that it was impossible that he could be the Chosen One. That said, the Council believed that Skywalker could in fact be the herald of their destruction as his future was clouded from their site.
Legacy Of The Jedi Order
By the end of the Great Jedi Purge and the eventual defeat of the Emperor and his apprentice Darth Vader, only two Jedi were left. These two were Anakin Skywalker and his wife Padmé Amidala Skywalker. Shortly before his death, Jedi Master Yoda would ask the pair to pass on what they knew and to rebuild the Jedi Order.
To that end both Anakin and Padmé would convert the Old Alliance Base on Yavin IV into a small Jedi Academy where they would begin training others in the ways of the Force.
Behind the scenes
This version of the Jedi Order is an organization in the Star Wars Chronicles fan fiction series.