THE JEDI ORDER - DETAILED by AnonymousPoster

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THE JEDI ORDER - DETAILED

POSTED BY: ANONYMOUSPOSTER
UPDATED: Sunday, October 10, 2004 09:48
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Saturday, October 9, 2004 4:24 PM

FORCE OUTLINE

What is the Force?

All things that live are a part of the Force. All things that live generate the Force. All things that live make the Force grow ever stronger, and ever more rich and bountiful. Its energies are nigh inexhaustible; as long as life exists, so too will the Force. Any thing that lives, that has life, be it plant, animal, sentient, or even some forms of living minerals, generates energy that contributes to the Force. No one knows the precise nature of this energy, and nothing can calculate its full potential. There are no instruments which can read or tap the energies of the Force, only living cells rich in midi-chlorians possess that ability. The Force's full potential has never been explored, let alone utilized by one being, but we know the Force has the ability to create and destroy life, to lengthen or shorten life, and to do these things on a galactic scale.

Just as the Force is generated by all living things, it is also IN all things. The Force is omni-present - that is - present everywhere. The Force is omni-directional - it is in all directions. There is no where in the galaxy where there is no Force. Even in Ysalamari bubbles, the Force exists, it is rather that the Ysalamari make it impossible for those Sensitive to the Force to be able to touch the Force. The Vong are present within the Force, but cannot be sensed through or directly affected by it, for unknown reasons. It's not an exact science, but to the best and fullest knowledge of the Jedi and other Force Users of note, the Force IS everywhere, IS IN everything, and IS A PART OF everything.

And if it follows that the Force is everywhere, and in everything, and everyone, then perhaps there are those who know the Force but do not call it by its right name? Ben Kenobi mentioned these types of people to Luke - the pre-Jedi Force Users. They were seen as magicians or wizards in their day, and those dark enough and fell enough were worshipped as terrible Dark Lords, monstrous Emperors, or even set themselves up to be like gods. It was not until shortly under thirty thousand years ago that the Jedi uncovered the existence of the Force as an omnipotent and omnipresent reservoir of energy and named it duly - as THE FORCE.

All mystic energy within the galaxy finds its ultimate wellspring in the Force. Whether you worship an idolized 'god' or serve a magic energy by a different name, all mystic energies come from the Force. All Force Users use the same Force. White Current, Shamans, Sith, Krath, Aing-Tii, Priestesses of the Goddess - the names may change, the beliefs may differ, and the use of the Force be somewhat different from that of the Jedi's traditional way, but it is the same Force in all of them. Its is a common wellspring of energy tapped by all mystics and 'wizards.'

Nor are the souls of sentients any different. The souls of sentient beings are a part of the Force, a living, personalized embodiment of Force energy, part of the whole. Upon death, the vast majority of sentient souls are drained away into the oneness of the Force, to a state of non-awareness and union with all living things. But some spirits, particularly those of beings strong enough in mind and will, or trained in the use of powers designed for just such a purpose, retain their personalities and individuality upon death, and communicate with one another through the eternal oneness of the Force, on a sort of `spiritual plane.' These beings can also manifest on the physical plain as 'ghosts' and spirits. It is not believed that any plants or non-sentients exist with this capability, but it has also not be extensively researched.

Aspects of the Force
The Living Force

The Force is not by any means a static, unchanging, inactive body of energy that merely waits to be tapped. It also bears a LIVING, viable essence of life, with a basic, primal will of its own. In its active state - also known as the Living Force - it has a conscious will and a plan for the greater good of the galaxy. It promotes life and peace and harmony in the galaxy through effecting immediate good - saving a life, defending an innocent - merely because these are good things to do, sometimes regardless of what future consequences there may be for this action. The Force, in this manner, is often experienced like one would sense a stream of water washing over you. You immediately detect the currents of water that are hitting you, rushing over you, and you focus on them, as opposed to paying wider heed to what may be fouling the water upstream somewhere before it reaches you, or how you might be fouling the water for someone further downstream FROM you. Though this view may serve the immediate future better, when this sense of the `here and now' is focused upon to the ignorance of the greater whole, it is a heady, impulsive stance that can lead towards dark temptations, or have serious and grave consequences in the future.

The Unifying Force

But there is more to the Force than its Living Aspect. There is also a Unifying Aspect - less blindly focused on the immediate here and now, and more universally focused on future and past occurrences that affect decisions and choices made in the here and now. Experiencing the Unifying Force is again like unto the waters of a river flowing over you. However, in this case, you pay less attention to the immediacy of the waters and currents flowing over you, and more attention to the greater whole - are you fouling the water for someone who would need to bathe later? Has someone fouled the water for you - and so, practitioners of the Unifying Force often spend more time searching the Future for visions and guidance in their meditations (What will happen in the future as a result of these actions?), and sometimes ignoring the immediate repercussions of their choices; as opposed to the meditations of devotees ascribing to the Living Force, who seek the immediate guidance (What will happen in the here and now?) of the Force in all their actions, sometimes heedless of later consequences.

The Unifying Force has disadvantages of its own. When separated from a healthy respect for the Living Force, pure dedication to the Unifying Force can make a Jedi cold, heartless, and content to allow for the suffering of others in order to maintain the greater good. One other key aspect of the Unifying Force, however, is that through extensive foresight, it is possible to affect future events, and alter them to your will.

Sides of the Force

The Light Side of the Force

In the view of the Jedi, and indeed, in the proven view of the Force itself, the 'Light Side' of the Force is not so much a distinct SIDE of the Force, as is widely believed, as it is simply the native, un-perverted true nature of the Force - the Force in its untainted form.

The Force, and its Light Side, as was seen above, is made from the energies of all life. Indeed, the Light Side of the Force encourages the natural order of life - and it can be truly argued that Death is merely a perversion of life - and it enhances the living of all things that do live.

Those who serve the Light Side, the Native nature of the Force, find themselves commonly empowered by the Life Force of the galaxy - strength just naturally FLOWS into them. Their bodies are refreshed, and often the life span of a Jedi is extended to far greater that of non-Jedi of his species. Touching the Light Side of the Force is often a pleasant, peaceful sensation much like that of bathing in a crystal clear spring, or walking through green fields while the cool breeze brushes over your face. It is the most perfect way of experiencing the unadulterated peace and calm of the Force that exists today.

Those non-Jedi Force Users who practice the Force and are not claimed by the Dark Side, whether they be servants of the Goddess, Witches of Dathomir, or even the Aing-Tii Monks, find themselves almost exclusively serving the Light Side of the Force, for as long as they serve the betterment of others, and not the good of their own selves, they remain pure - though long affiliation with Dark Side power or with great power of any degree is likely to consume even the best-meaning of users - and in the Light.

Although the Light Side existed before - long before - the advent of the Earliest Jedi, no other Order of Force Users in the galaxy has ever so completely defined the Light Side and worked to stay well within the Light. They are the most experienced of Force Users in the ways of Light and Dark, and know well the boundaries between them. Therefore it is moot that in explaining the Light Side of the Force, we should also give some explanation of the Jedi Order, and its teachings, for truly - if you wish to understand the Light Side of the Force - you must understand the Jedi Order.

The Nature of the Light Side of the Force

Whatever the Light Side may be, it is the direct, polar opposite of the Dark Side. White against Black. There is no Grey, and there is no blurring of the lines between Light and Dark.

It is also good to realize that, just as the essential Nature of the DARK SIDE, as we will discuss later, is greed, the essential Nature of the Light Side is self-sacrifice. Where as a Dark Sider invariably uses his power to further HIS desires and wishes over that of the galaxy's, the Jedi humble themselves to the greater good of the galaxy, serving the Light Side of the Force, Serving Life itself, and protecting the galaxy's many peoples and worlds from evil. Thus, if one seeks to determine whether they are acting in the interests of the Light Side or of the Dark Side, they should ask themselves the following question "Is it my glory or the glory of another small number of beings that I seek to enlarge, or do I seek to enhance the glory of the greater good through my sacrifice?"

The Light Side seeks to understand the nature of things. It seeks to root out the causes of evil and malignancy, for knowledge is power to combat evil. Thus, the Jedi are often seen as scholarly, studious beings with deep and investigative minds. The Jedi are slow to action, because they seek first to understand the nature of the problem at hand, lest rash actions cause undue problems in the future. Furthermore, the Jedi are instructed to regularly engage in meditation - to meditate deeply upon their actions and to determine whether they were both just and in the interests of the Light Side of the Force.

Coupled with the desire for knowledge and understanding is a hesitancy in the Light Side to attack. The Light Side promotes the life and well-being of all creatures, good or evil, and the Jedi are instructed - aye, the Jedi feel an overwhelming compulsion from the Force itself - not to kill or to take a life unless absolutely necessary. This places the Jedi in the position of being defensive from the get-go, slow to action, slow to combat of any kind, but even beyond THIS stipulation, there is yet another. A Jedi who uses the Force to attack others, and not merely to defend when forced to, indirectly seeks to exert HIS will upon the galaxy, and this aggression can lead to the DARK SIDE of the Force.

The Dark Side

The Force is like any element of nature -- it has bother positive and negative aspects: the light side and the dark side. The light teaches peace and harmony. It is the constructive side of the Force from which all love, understanding and knowledge originate -- it is the essence of life. Those who are at peace with themselves can learn to harness the amazing powers of the Force. The dark side is the counterweight to the light. Many young students falsely believe that the dark side is stronger than the light -- in truth, it is only easier. The dark side springs from the negative and destructive impulses of all living beings -- anger, fear, and hatred are its symptoms. Death and war are the byproducts of the dark side. It is dangerously seductive to those who lack the ability to control their emotions and passions. Those who give in to the dark side find their abilities greatly enhanced at first, but as time passes, the dark side does not respond so readily. The dark side seduces individuals with promises of power, but once someone takes up the darkness, the only rewards are pain and helplessness. The dark side controls her, rather than her controlling it. The dark side demands more and more of those in its power. Those who are sensitive to the Force soon learn that there is no middle ground between the dark and the light. For most beings -- unaware of the power of the Force -- the struggle between good and evil is not as powerful, not as compelling. For those attuned to the Force, the struggle of good versus evil, life versus death, is of utmost importance. Those who learn the ways of the Force must be careful to remember their own inner peace or they will surrender themselves to the dark side, as Anakin Skywalker did many, many years ago. They must be careful not to start down the path of the dark side, for its self-destructive ways are difficult to leave once embraced.

The Force's Many Guises

Even those who don't believe in the Force can unconsciously manipulate it and be manipulated by it. They may not be truly "sensitive" to its flow, but they still call upon the Force without even realizing. These people seem to have an almost unnatural ability to accomplish their objectives, whether their intent is good, evil or somewhere in between. The skeptical call it luck. The un-skeptical call it destiny or fate. It is the Force. Among those who learn to manipulate the Force, the most common path is that of the Jedi. Each Jedi relates to the Force in a different way, drawing upon a wide variety of powers -- different manifestations of how the Jedi can manipulate her internal Force and the Force of the universe around her. Students of the Force can learn to slow or stop their own life functions, accomplish physical tasks that others would consider impossible, and even move physical objects by the power of the mind alone. Others beside the Jedi Knights know how to manipulate the Force. They often attribute their powers to different sources -- magic, shamanism, religion, meditation, ancestor worship, or any of a million other forms of insight -- but through whatever means, they are using this mystic energy to change the world around them.

THE JEDI CODE

I. JEDI ARE THE GUARDIANS OF PEACE IN THE GALAXY.

Jedi live their entire lives as the guardians of peace in the galaxy. They take no specific orders from any one body except for the Jedi council. However, the Jedi should follow the demands of the senate unless the council agrees that the senate is wrong.

A Jedi cannot force people to be just and decent. They must allow such qualities to arise from within. If a Jedi forces these qualities on an adversary they will not be learned permanently. However, with patience the Jedi can use his power and knowledge to guide an adversary's actions and thoughts leading him to what is right and good.

II. JEDI USE THEIR POWERS TO DEFEND AND PROTECT, NEVER TO ATTACK OTHERS.

A Jedi must never use the Force with the intention of attacking and defeating his opponent. The Force is only to be used in defense and protection of the user or of another who is unable to defend him/herself. Also, the phrase "The ends justify the means" does not hold as an excuse for a Jedi to do whatever he wants to succeed. A Jedi should not rationalize a wrong action as good just to be able to do it.

A Jedi must keep constant watch on his actions and thoughts for the dark side of the Force is quick, easy, and seductive. Anger, Fear, and Aggression define the dark side of the Force. A Jedi must never use these emotions unless he is calm and at peace and has the utmost control of the emotion. If a Jedi becomes reckless in his actions he endangers himself and others around him. Complete concentration and patience are essential to a Jedi. A Jedi should not try to sway the Force to his own purposes, but rather allow the Force to guide himself.

A Jedi's one and only physical weapon should be a lightsaber. As a part of training a Master will show his apprentice how to construct a saber. A student should not construct one on his own without a Master's prior guidance. It is ok for a student to possess an already constructed saber as long as his master has consented and advised him on proper use.

A Jedi should not make the use of his saber his first option in a conflict. He should exhaust all other options with the opponent before making use of his lightsaber. This should be a weapon of defense and protection. But when forced to use it, a Jedi should act quickly and decisively

III. JEDI RESPECT ALL LIFE, IN ANY FORM.

All life throughout the galaxy is unique in its own way and each being deserves the same amount of respect as any other. Each being of life serves a purpose to the common good of the galaxy. The Force binds all life together. The Force creates life and thus a Jedi should seek to preserve life at any cost. A Jedi should show unconditional love to any lifeform.

Jedi also respect the uniqueness of life. The cloning of life is not approved by the Jedi. A Jedi must never clone himself just to create another being like himself. It takes away from the precious uniqueness of life and is not ethical.

IV. JEDI SERVE OTHERS RATHER THAN RULING OVER THEM, FOR THE GOOD OF THE GALAXY.

The Jedi live their lives with a code of honor. Material wealth holds no meaning to a Jedi and though it is ok for a Jedi to possess money, it holds no personal value to him/her. A Jedi only leads people; a Jedi does not rule over people or command them to do anything against their will. A Jedi does not do anything for the glory of it. Winning a battle should not be followed with arrogance by a Jedi. A Jedi cannot take part in any profit-making enterprise. One cannot profit from their protection.

V. JEDI SEEK TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING.

The levels in rank for the Jedi are the following: The first step to becoming a Jedi is becoming a Jedi trainee. Children less than a year of age should be tested of their midi-chlorian level first and if over 10,000 they may be trained. Also, a Jedi Master may choose to allow a child to be trained even if the midi-chlorian level is not high enough if the Jedi council approves it.

Once a Jedi trainee, the child will be trained for up to the next twelve years. At any point during those twelve years, an approved Jedi Master may take the trainee as his Padawan learner, which is the second level to becoming a Jedi. A trainee must be chosen to be a Padawan by age 13 or he will not be allowed to be a Jedi knight.

The Padawan will follow his Master and learn the rest of his training in the Force from him. A Master may only have one Padawan at a time. The Master will teach the Jedi code to his apprentice and teach him all there is to know about the light side and dark side of the Force. The Padawan phase of becoming a Jedi will only end when two conditions are met. First, the Master must announce that his Padawan is ready to take the trials held by the Jedi council, and second, the Jedi council must approve the Padawan and announce him as a Jedi Knight.

Being a Jedi Knight is the fourth phase in the cycle of the Jedi. For many, this will be the final phase. The step up to the final phase, a Jedi Master, is a tough one, but not a mandatory one. Only the greatest and smartest of the Jedi become Masters. The Jedi council will decide and approve any Knight who wishes to become a Master.

The key to a Jedi's never-ending cycle is patience. Without patience a Jedi only opens himself up to the dark side more readily. A Jedi is at his strongest when he is calm, at peace, passive, and patient. A Jedi's ability to do something is not all there is. One must know the thing. One must master every facet of every skill. One must understand how it fits in to everything else in the galaxy.

During the life of a Jedi, he/she will find that some talents in the Force come easier than others. Each Jedi has his/her own unique strengths and weaknesses in the Force and the greatest Jedi are ones who can balance the use of their strengths with the control of their weaknesses.

Jedi skills in the Force are rooted in three areas. Control is internal. It is the Jedi's ability to recognize the Force in himself and to use it to his benefit. Sense involves the next step, in which the Jedi recognizes the Force in the universe outside herself. Here she feels the Force and is able to draw upon it for information about the world around her. Through it she is connected to the rest of the universe. Alter is the third and most difficult to master, for it involves the student's ability to modify the force and redistribute its energies. Through these skills, the Jedi can influence the universe, making changes as needed to accomplish its goals.

THE JEDI MANTRA

"There is no emotion; There is peace"

As a True Jedi, one must put aside personal emotion. Emotion is a quality held by beings; not by the force. Emotion can drive one to act in haste, and leads to anger and hatred. A Jedi must never travel down the path emotion - Instead, a Jedi must allow the force to take control, replacing emotion with peace.

"There is no ignorance; There is knowledge"

For a Jedi, there is no limit to knowledge. A Jedi knows that to stop learning is to become ignorant. Because of that, a Jedi always strives for more knowledge. A Jedi believes that there is no useless knowledge.

"There is no passion; There is serenity"

Passion can drive a being to act without thinking, much like emotion. A Jedi knows that to allow passion to control them, they are allowing themselves to fall prey to the Darkside. To keep calm in situations of unease is the way of the Jedi.

"There is no death; There is The Force"

A Jedi knows that life does not end with mortal death - For, every soul that dies their mortal life joins into the force, making it stronger in some way. When a Jedi dies, their soul joins into the force, and the Lightside grows stronger than before.

THE JEDI WAY

To use the Force, a Jedi must remain at harmony with it. To act in dissonance depletes one's power.

The Force is created and sustained by life. The Jedi acts to preserve life. To kill is wrong.

Yet it is often necessary to kill. The Jedi may kill in self-defense or in the defense of others. You may kill, if in doing so, life is preserved.

But you must know, always, that killing is wrong. When you kill, you commit a crime against the Force.
Though you may know that you do so for the greater good, and the greater good justifies your act, you must know that the death remains as a stain upon your soul.

The Jedi does not act for personal gain of wealth or power. You must act to gain knowledge; to sustain freedom, life and learning; to defeat those who impose tyranny, death and ignorance.

Sometimes, wealth or power is needed to achieve the Jedi's goals. Money is required for the purchase of goods; power is required to obtain the help of others. To achieve one's goals, a Jedi may obtain wealth or power, but interested in it for it's own sake, and will surrender it once it's goals are achieved.

A Jedi never acts from hatred, anger, fear or aggression. A Jedi must act when calm, at peace with the Force. To act from anger is to court the Dark Side, to risk everything for which the Jedi stand.

Lightsaber General Information

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The lightsaber is a self contained unit approximately 12" (30cm) in length. It includes its own power source, which may be capable of extended periods of use without recharge. It produces a powerful cutting blade of just over a meter in length, which can cut through ALMOST anything, but not without some resistance.

TURNING IT ON AND OFF

On the average lightsaber, a switch/button is located half way up the saber base. Some sabers, however, have been altered by their makers to have "on switches" including, but not limited to:

*Use of telekinetics to turn it on/off
*Fake switches -

~sabers can be armed with special mechanisms that, if not turned on the proper way, expel some sort of trap (i.e., and explosion, spikes, needless, acids, ect..)
~sabers can be equipped with many buttons, to fool others, or confuse then on which turns the saber 'on'.
~saber can be equipped to only be able to ignite after a series of specific buttons are pressed (i.e., a code to turn the saber on).

*Secret switches, hidden around the saber itself.

THE BLADE - Broad overview

Upon activation, an energy 'blade' extends outward in a straight line for a length of 3-4' (100+cm). The blade is a tightly coherent and Opaque rod, with a slightly rounded 'tip'. This 'core' rod is about 1" (2.5cm) in diameter - about the thickness of an adult males' thumb. There may be an even smaller 'cutting core' within this, which might explain the almost invisibly thin cuts made by Luke's saber during the fight in the Dune Sea. A considerable amount of glow flares out from the rod in all directions. This glow dies out very quickly as you move further from the core, and a lightsaber is of no practical use for lighting an area. When swung about, the blade seems to occupy far more space than it really does, due to the residual phosphorescent image left on the human eye by the passage of such a brightly lit object.

A SABER IS NOT AN OPTICAL PHENOMENON

A further clue to the nature of lightsabers is their seemingly 'material' interaction. They are opaque to blaster bolts! A true laser beams can readily pass straight through another, and a lump of plasma can be easily passed through a laser beam without hindrance. These blades are NOT just light. The blades may not pass through one another either. They not only block the passage of one another, but seem to 'cling' and interact with considerable amounts of waste energy thrown off as sparks, noise and light bursts.

It must be stated here that the lightsaber is NOT simply a 'laser' sword.

THE "GLOW"

The glow that a lightsaber produces has not been specifically determined. Some believe it to be the molecules in the air being dissolved at incredible speed. Others say it is the decay of the 'particles' of which the blade is made, as they 'spin away' from the cutting core. Perhaps the glow is a deliberate effect, designed to allow visual tracking and control of this dangerous weapon - much like Tracer rounds in a machine gun. Fact of the matter be that no one KNOWS why a saber produces the glow.

A SABERS SHADOW

As stated above, the lightsaber blade is NOT 'just' laser; it is probably an exotic high-energy plasmoid. The glow it emits is a side effect. It is often observed that this glow only carries a short distance, you cannot easily light a room with a lightsaber. It is also known that the saber blade is opaque to other energies such as blaster bolts.

So, you would Expect that a lightsaber blade would block ordinary visible light from passing through it, creating a shadow. The Totally canonical ANH-Novel describes the blade as 'opaque'. You would further expect that the glow of the lightsaber would eliminate this shadow, but only against CLOSE surfaces. If the lightsaber is held several meters away from a surface, such as the floor, and it is lit from a behind by a bright source, then you must EXPECT to see a shadow.

There are several overhead shots in RoTJ where it can be plainly seen that Lord Vader and Luke's lightsabers cast shadows. This is usually written up as a movie blooper - after all, how can light throw shadow? Fortunately this shot was NOT modified by the Special Edition guys, if anything, the saber shadows seem crisper and sharper!

LIGHT does NOT block light! LIGHT does NOT block high-energy weapons. Lightsabers are NOT 'just light'.

SABERS - FOR NON-FORCE USERS

Anyone can use a saber.

As can be expected, a force user will have better control over the weapon, due to advanced senses and coordination through the force. This does not mean a non-force user has no ability with a saber.

Any skilled swordsman would be able to wield a lightsaber with proper practice. The lightsaber is a piece of TECHNOLOGY, not a piece of The Force made manifest.

A SABER IS NOT THERMAL

The saber is not a thermal effect. At least, if it is, it is contained. The blade does not put out any discernible heat near its boundary. The hilt is not hot. Regardless of excellent insulation technology that probably exists in the Star Wars galaxy (starship hulls and armor, etc...) - it must be recognized that the saber is not a 'heat' weapon.

However: objects that have been cut by a saber exhibit burn-like symptoms, and MOST cuts on organics are cauterized. There is clearly a heat-like effect at work within the core of the saber blade - as you'd expect from a 'pure energy' weapon.

HEAT is simply the excited motion of molecules ... heat MAKES molecules move, and visa-versa. If you can make molecules move, you get heat. This is the principle of magnetic-induction cooking ranges - and of microwave ovens. The 'burning' seen on cut objects may not mean that the interior of the blade is 'hot' per se, perhaps it merely excites the molecules during the cutting process!

SABER THICKNESS

The saber blade - despite its broad glowing corona, and its apparent thickness of an adult thumb, seems to make extremely fine cuts. The central core, the 'cutting' part of the saber is probably very fine indeed.

A SABER IS NOT BENDABLE

The blade remains thoroughly RIGID - regardless of how vigorously it is waved about or jostled.

Powers of a Jedi

Through the long years of struggle, a Jedi grew more and more adept in all the skills of a Jedi.
He had an increasing ability to feel the Force, in himself and others, and to know the thoughts and feelings of others, to know their intentions. Through the Force, he could even sense the moment when an entirely mechanical opponent would strike.

He could sense the presence of another Jedi, even across great distances, and take the measure of a Jedi's strength in the Force, or whether the Dark Side had infected him.

He could feel disturbances in the Force, of every kind. With the eyes of a Jedi he could see events taking place in another room or across the Galaxy. He could glimpse the future, in its many chains of probability... and gauge which path events were most likely to follow.

His enhanced senses and abilities, always a result of attunement with the living energy around him, gave him the ability to move object without physical contact... even large and heavy objects. He had come to understand the words "Size matters not. The only difference is in your mind."

He could deflect a blaster bolt with his hand... or rip a piece of machinery from its anchor bolts. He could create great sounds, to confuse and distract, or send frightened enemies scrambling for cover.

He knew the moment to strike with the lightsaber... and the moment to step back. He could navigate a ship by instinct alone. He could do astounding feats of acrobatics and make incredible leaps. He had the ability to withstand great pain, fatigue, hunger, and thirst. He could transfer a portion of his life energy to another... and accelerate healing in himself and others.

And, with a word or a gesture, he could create thoughts and feelings in the weak-minded... sometimes even in the minds of the strong.

Instead of growing proud as he acquired greater knowledge and skill, he became more unpresuming. He recognized that he drew his strength not from himself, but from the energy of life itself. And he became aware that he had just begun to plumb the depths of the possible.

"For it is said the ancient Jedi Knights had many more skills and abilities than these - even the power to manipulate the molecular structure of the universe, to live beyond death, and to guide the path of humankind in righteousness." And there lies the key - for a true Jedi, no matter how far he progresses, does not use power for its own sake, or for personal ends, but for the good of others.

He is adept at all the principal powers and practices of a Jedi... and he stands at the threshold of awakening to the legendary powers of the great Masters of old...

THE FORCE IN GENERAL

Control. This skill represents the ability to control one's own inner Force. A Jedi with this skill learns mastery over the functions of their body and harmony with nature.

Sense. This skill teaches a Jedi to sense the Force in other things beyond their own body. The Jedi learns to feel the bonds that connect all living things, and gives her ability to understand how all things are interconnected.

Alter. A Jedi with alter learns how to change the distribution and nature of the Force. A Jedi with alter can move things with his mind, help others control their own Force, or change the Force in his own body. This power can be used to change the perceptions of others and make them come to incorrect conclusions.

The Force powers is about manipulating the energies around you, it is done through the will of the Jedi, directing the Force as much as it directs them. As the Force is used outwardly in this case and is not a physical thing there would be no physical strain on the apprentice.

Using the Force to strike or act against someone is a darkside act. By directing an object against someone that is considered a step towards the Darkside. A Jedi acts in defense of others and themselves, never to attack. Using an object to attack someone, by throwing a chair at a dark Jedi, is using the Force in a way that the Jedi do not do. To use the Force as a means of attack, and not defense is to slip to the darkside

JEDI RANKS AND TRAINING

From birth to age six:

Throughout the Old Republic, standard midi-chlorian testing was applied to youths aged two to six years old in an effort to ascertain Force adeptness. Some candidates were selected as early as birth. However, their training was often delayed in an effort to allow for basic motor skills and speech patterns to develop. Only in the special case of orphans residing in the temple would any younger applicants be cared for. This extensive testing was more concentrated in the inner and mid-rim worlds, and was not a precedent on the outer-rim planets. Ideally, the candidate would be selected by the first three years of life. These were the most important and dangerous years during development, because at this time, the mental and physical connections in the brain were made. If these connections and thought patterns are already developed, it becomes much harder to re-train the brain and remove undesirable attributes. By approximately ten years of age these characteristics and personalities are firmly set in place.

However, not all Jedi agreed with this training doctrine. Some critics of this method raised moral questions such as the parents' right to keep their children and the ethics in determining a life path for an individual before they reached an age where an informed decision could be formed on their own. However, such concerns were looked upon as minor in comparison to the will of the Force, and were deemed utterly irrelevant by the Jedi Council.

Until age thirteen:

The Jedi candidate was raised and trained in the Jedi Temple, often taught by several Jedi Masters. There they learnt to live by the Jedi Code, study the methods and techniques of the lightsaber (both construction and utilization), and received basic Force training. This continued until age thirteen, where upon the candidate is taken on as a Padawan Learner by a Master. Contact with one's family was permitted, if deemed appropriate by the temple's teachers.

At the age of Thirteen:

If the Jedi trainee was not taken by a Jedi Master as a Padawan learner by age thirteen, then the candidate was placed in service to the Republic in another fashion other than a Jedi Knight. These positions included Agri Corps, Scouting and Exploration, Medical, Shipyard Construction, Accounting/Administration, and Ambassadorial Aide/Intern just to name a few. The assignment was dictated by the Jedi Council based on the students aptitudes, as well as their current level of Force ability. Although the dutiful students usually accepted these postings, they were not required to. Some candidates that did not make the grade choose to return to their homes or set out on their own. The students had no say in if or how the prospective master chooses a Padawan. The most a potential Padawan could hope for was to catch rumors of the visitation of a Master, and then prepare to put their best efforts forward in hopes of being selected.

From Padawan Learner to the Trials:

Once chosen by a Master, more advance training in the Force occurred, in conjunction with lightsaber construction techniques and other advanced skills. The Padawan stage of training was no less than ten years in length, and otherwise lasted as long as necessary.

If for whatever reason, a Padawan continually failed the Jedi trials and the Master refused to teach he/she any longer, the Council retained the option to assign another Master to that student. If the failure was the Padawan's fault (frustration at the teachers, an inability to cope with the personal restrictions and hardships of Jedi life, etc.) and they were not turned to the Dark Side, they were allowed to choose to abandon the Jedi way and serve the Republic in a civil service manner similar to a temple dropout. In this instance, they were closely monitored by the Jedi, due to their potent Force Abilities and potential misuse. If a Padawan's repeated failures were the cause of Dark Side leanings, and they abandon the Jedi way and were turned to the Dark Side, then monitoring of their activities was assumed by the Jedi Shadows. These intrepid guardians would assume their responsibilities and liquidate the fallen Padawan only if they became an active threat to the order and stability of the Republic, or a threat to innocents by their direct actions. If the fallen Padawan preyed upon the Underworld (gangsters, henchmen, assassins etc.) the Shadows would not interfere, and merely direct Sector rangers or other local law enforcement agents in response to criminal activity. If Force use against innocents was a direct contributor to that activity, a Shadow may have stepped in and carried out their duty.

The Trials:

The Trials were intended to be a crucible; a test of character as well as ability. The Trials were not set in stone and were custom fitted to each Padawan. They were an examination of the Padawan's commitment, ability, and moral grounds. The Padawan's fears, their hidden wants and needs, their passions, or their tragedies; all were weighed and somewhere amidst the Psyche laid the key, the measure by which the Council could judge the Padawan's worthiness. How they dealt with the trial, as much as whether or not they physically succeeded or failed was the true trial.

Normally the Trials were only given to those without the taint of the Dark Side, in the hopes that one mistake would be sufficient warning to drive home the dangers and responsibilities of being a Jedi Knight. Completing the trials without temptation (no Dark Side Points) was considered an "A" grade. One Dark Side Point would be a "B" or "C" grade, and 2 or more would receive a "D" or "F". Although one would think that a ranked A+ Padawan would be the most desirable outcome, this was not completely the case. The straight A student would have problems of their own - since without failure, there was no chance to learn from one's mistakes. These Jedi, although noble and heroic figures, retained a fundamental lack of understanding of the Dark Side, and the ease with which one could be lured. For the others, if through the course of training or in the aftermath of the trials, they atoned for the stain of evil on their soul gained during the Trials, the experience would have had a greater value to them. It would have also yielded a better knight in the long run, than if they never had faced those kinds of risks.

Beyond the Trials:

If they were successful in the Trials, then the Padawan was granted the title of Jedi Knight. They were given permanent accommodations at the Jedi Temple, and received assignments according to the wishes of the Jedi Council, the Senate or the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic.

However, the transition from Jedi Knight to Jedi Master was slightly different. It was more than simply taking on a Padawan Learner. The Knight's first Padawan was to have complete his training, before the Knight could assume the title of Master. Nevertheless, one must point out the distinction between the title "Master" that was used by the Padawan when addressing his mentor, and "Jedi Master", the title that was used between fully trained Jedi and outside the Jedi hierarchy. A Jedi Knight that did not retain a current Padawan were encouraged to make an annual visit to the Temple to watch the current crop of initiates. They had the option of not selecting a Padawan, but they were required to periodically appear and review the available candidates.

The Holocron

The Holocron, a glowing cube that sits comfortably in the palm of the hand, is a source of wisdom containing some of the most secret Jedi history and teachings as revealed by long departed Jedi Masters.

"The teachings of the Holocron include thousand year old secrets - but they also include the words and faces of men in the process of discovery. The Jedi Masters of old were not afraid to let their minds roam freely, for they were hungry for ever greater understanding of the mysterious Force that had become their power and their ally."

Holocrons use what seems to be a forgotten technology combining many crystals in a complex latticework formation and hardware that serves to record and reproduce holographic images and sound. They appear to have unlimited storage capacity and have no visible energy source. Its metal parts are embossed with curious designs suggesting great antiquity. Some Holocrons are simple cubes, while others have unusual geometric shapes or ornate symbols etched into their crystalline faces. Each Holocron has its own different access method, such as touching a specific panel or speaking a certain phrase aloud. The Holocron built by the famed Master Bodo Baas automatically activated as soon as it was grasped by anyone who was attuned to the Force.

Holocrons are the custom-built instructional tools used by Jedi Masters to teach beyond their death. These small crystalline cubes store volumes of holographic records documenting the history and lore of the Jedi Knights. It contains histories and wisdom and information about the Jedi, collected down through the years. On the most superficial level, the Jedi Holocron is merely a recording device, and example of primitive hologram technology. However, a holocron is more than a collection of static recordings. It is an interactive teaching tool, an intuitive logic module that faithfully re-creates the images and personalities of past Jedi Masters, who act as hosts. The Jedi who built the Holocron is the primary host, while other contributors add their images and personalities to host their sections. A model of the gatekeeper's cognitive network serves as a search, recovery and storage allocation program. The holocron detects a students ability and holds back things they are not yet prepared to know. It is a vast library in a small container - a collection of "books" whose authors visit the reader and speak to them directly. Students can question the holocron in times of need, the holocron can teach the student how to use the Force, the holocron can be a friend.

The Holocron has many levels and many branching paths concealed within its circuitry. Only Jedi Knight can unlock those hidden places. A pattern of organic crystals at the heart of the Holocron reacts to the presence of a true Jedi. These crystals are the key to the deeper levels of the Holocron's mysteries. The hosts guide Jedi students through specific lessons, imparting information, and also testing their abilities. They pose philosophical challenges about the nature of the Force to help Jedi students master their new abilities while remaining in harmony with the light side of the Force. These guides restrict access to sensitive information - particularly techniques related to advanced Force powers - until students have proved their ability to use the knowledge responsibly. The Holocron records depict important historical events, such as the struggle to defeat Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun, or document a Master's training and mediation techniques. Jedi Knights used their Holocrons to explain newly formulated Force abilities and record their theories about the nature of the Force. These devices provided a means of passing Jedi Knowledge from generation to generation to ensure that the lessons of the post - both heroic and tragic - would never be forgotten.

Unfortunately, the ancient Jedi Holocrons have all but disappeared from the galaxy. Emperor Palpatine destroyed many as part of his plan to obliterate the Jedi Knight. Luke Skywalker first learned about these devices during his tutorials with Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he didn't actually see one until nearly a decade later, when he confronted the reincarnated Emperor Palpatine, who possessed the Holocron of Master Bodo Bass. Luke and Princess Leia Organa Solo liberated this device, and Luke used it to greatly improve his knowledge of the Force. unfortunately, it was destroyed during the struggle against the Emperor's forces. It is believed that other Holocrons may still survive, hidden in the isolated huts of long-dead Jedi Knights, awaiting a time when those strong in the Force will rediscover the old ways.

Jedi Attire

Over centuries, The Jedi have come to have a recognized form of dress. This choice of attire is most commonly referred to as 'The Traditional Jedi Robes'.

Firstly, the attire consist of an outer coat - most commonly a faded brown shade, hanging down to the floor and a hood attached. It can be tied with a sash of the same color, but it is most commonly worn open, revealing the under lays of the outfit.

Beneath the outer robe lays a basic, mauve or off-white colored shirt, of the long sleeve type. This shirt has no pockets, nor buttons, and hangs down to the wearers mid-thigh. With no direct way of closing the shirt, a belt is then administered over the waist, forming a 'V' neck line.

Long pants, to the same shade of the shirt, are worn comfortably. The ends of the cloth never go down past the wearers' ankles, to avoid tripping.

Along with the cloth, a Traditional Jedi attire is not complete without a pair of knee-high boots. These boots range from a low variety of colors, consisting of brown through black.

Over the years, Jedi have altered their form of dress to fit their own personalities and desires. However, tradition lives on in most, and these simple - yet divine - robes shall continue to be worn on Jedi across the galaxy...

The Sith

"The Sith had come into being over two thousand years ago. They were a cult given over to the dark side of the Force, embracing fully the concept that power denied was power wasted. A rogue Jedi Knight had founded the Sith, a singular dissident in an order of harmonious followers, a rebel who understood from the beginning that the real power of the force lay not in the light, but in the dark. Failing to gain approval for his beliefs from the Council, he had broken with the order, departing with his knowledge and his skills, swearing in secret that he could bring down those who dismissed him."

"He was alone at first, but others from the Jedi order who believed as he did and who had followed him in his study of the dark side soon came over. Others were recruited, and soon ranks of the Sith swelled to more than fifty in number. Disdaining the concepts of cooperation and consensus, relying on the belief that acquisition of power in any form lends strength and yields control, the Sith began to build their cult in opposition to the Jedi. Theirs was not an order created to serve; theirs was an order created to dominate."

"When it was believed all of the Sith were destroyed, he emerged from his concealment. At first he worked alone, but he was growing old and was the last of his kind. Eventually, he went out in search of an apprentice, and so to carry on their work. But there would only be two at any one time. There would be no repetition of the mistakes of the old order, no struggle between Siths warring for power within the cult. Their common enemy was the Jedi, not each other. It was for their war with the Jedi that they must save themselves...."

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Saturday, October 9, 2004 4:57 PM

SOUPCATCHER

Is it okay to assume you're the author of this piece and are just reprinting it from the following site?

http://www.angelfire.com/rpg/jks/theforce.html

There are three kinds of people: fighters, lovers, and screamers.

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Saturday, October 9, 2004 5:47 PM

KELLAINA

Wow, you are a busy little beaver. And I don't just mean this thread. Eight new topics in under an hour. Take a breather.

If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. -"Angel"

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 12:30 AM

FIREFLEW

Quote:
Originally posted by SoupCatcher:

s it okay to assume you're the author of this piece and are just reprinting it from the following site?

http://www.angelfire.com/rpg/jks/theforce.html

There are three kinds of people: fighters, lovers, and screamers.

Well, if he were, you would expect him to have included a link to his home site - however, there are a wide range of topics discussed, this law television programme, Superman, Alternate Universes, Jedi Knight stuff - all however contain quite different writing styles.

Perhaps it's just a mass of posting for the purposes of enlightening us about various things?

___________________________________
Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 1:57 AM

ANONYMOUSPOSTER

Quote:
Originally posted by Fireflew:
Perhaps it's just a mass of posting for the purposes of enlightening us about various things?

That's exactly what it is!

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 5:30 AM

FIREFLEW

Quote:
Originally posted by AnonymousPoster:
Quote:
Originally posted by Fireflew:
Perhaps it's just a mass of posting for the purposes of enlightening us about various things?

That's exactly what it is!

Well I must say it certainly did do that.

___________________________________
Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 5:47 AM

SPOOKYJESUS

There aren't any Jedi in Firefly.

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 9:48 AM

FIREFLEW

Quote:
Originally posted by Spookyjesus:
There aren't any Jedi in Firefly.

No, but there are in Other Science Fiction Series. There're no vampires in Firefly, isn't that strange? And there's that biiig forum about it - give the guy a break.

___________________________________
Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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