Jedi Trials

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The Jedi Trials, also known as the Trials of Knighthood, Jedi rituals, or Jedi ceremonies, were the challenges by which Jedi Padawans were given as pre-requisites for achieving Knighthood, and were sometimes retaken by Knights to earn the rank of Jedi Master. The trials were administered by the Jedi Council to any Padawan they deemed worthy of becoming a Jedi. The primary trials were a set of four, and were the Trial of Skill, the Trial of Flesh, the Trial of Courage, and the Trial of the Spirit. Other less formal trials, often from the old Order for apprentices' promotions to Padawans, included learning and gaining a thorough understanding of the Jedi Code, and the construction of a lightsaber.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Trials Program 1.2 Knighting Ceremony 1.3 The New Jedi Order 2 Jedi Trials of the Old Republic 2.1 Trial of Skill 2.1.1 Notable examples 2.2 Trial of the Flesh 2.2.1 Notable examples 2.3 Trial of Courage 2.3.1 Notable examples 2.4 Trial of the Spirit 2.4.1 Notable examples 2.5 Other Trials 2.6 Notable variations on Trial practices and special cases 3 Appearances 4 Sources 5 Notes & references 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] History

Jedi trials date back as far as 4,000 BBY, and very likely much earlier than that. It is known that, in the days when Jedi Masters trained multiple Padawans simultaneously, the trials were less formal, though all four trials were still implemented as preliminary exams for a Padawan's transition into Jedi Knighthood.^[1] Upon successful completion of said testing, the Master would then declare their student a Jedi, Knight of the Galactic Republic.^[2]

After the Ruusan Reformations (that marked the year 1,000 BBY) when enrollment into the Jedi Order became more institutionalized, the trials themselves became more formal as well. They were carried out in a special Jedi Trials Chamber within the Jedi Temple, overseen by the Jedi Council and also the Padawan's own Master. If the Padawan was successful in completing the series of challenges, the Master would then prepare their apprentice for the Knighting ceremony. Should the apprentice be unsuccessful in completing the trials, they were permitted to take them again, until they passed.

[edit] Trials Program

At the Jedi Temple, a computer program was created that would pit simulacrums of long dead Jedi and Sith against the prospective Jedi Knights. Using the specialized projectors in the Jedi Trials Chamber, the program would create an opponent that proceeded to attack and taunt the Padawan. Each test was created using specific parameters set by a Jedi Master. If the Padawan was able to defeat the simulacrum, the phantom warrior would dissolve, and the program cut out.

After the Temple was left in ruin, the Program went wild. Darth Vader reprogrammed the computer to project not only in the Trials Chamber, but in the Jedi Archives and the High Council Chamber as well. His apprentice Starkiller was able to overcome three different simulacrums, and pass the Trials.

[edit] Knighting Ceremony

Occuring in the Hall of Knighthood within the Jedi Temple, the Knighting ceremony was a special time for Padawans, who were transitioning from mere learners to officially be inducted into the Jedi Order. The presiding Jedi Master would first place his lightsaber above the kneeling Padawan's right shoulder, then the left shoulder, and then back to the right shoulder, severing the Padawan braid in the process. This ceremony would be held in the Hall of Knighthood. The following phrase was said to the newly ordained Jedi Knight:

"Step forward, Padawan. [Name of Padawan], by the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee, Jedi (cuts braid) Knight of the Republic."

In times of turmoil, the trials could be bypassed at the discretion of the Jedi Council if the Padawan had shown great skill, courage, or dedication to the Order. In such cases the apprentice was considered to have passed the trials through their various accomplishments, negating the need for formal testing. For example, both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker earned the rank of Jedi Knight without participating in formal trials, but rather passed their trials through their actions: Kenobi, through his duel with the Sith Lord Darth Maul,^[3] and Skywalker for his heroism during the Clone Wars.^[4]

[edit] The New Jedi Order

In Grand Master Luke Skywalker's New Jedi Order, apprentices became Jedi Knights once their Masters felt that they had attained sufficient skill. The trials were a tour in the ruins of the Massassi temple, usage of Force powers in order to overcome obstacles, as well as practicing combat techniques with training remotes and Jedi training droids. They were also given missions to complete both with their Master and on their own.^[5]

For instance, Padawan Jaden Korr was dubbed Jedi Knight in an informal conversation with Skywalker and Korr's Master, Kyle Katarn. Katarn explaind to Korr that, in the light of his achievements during the crisis of the Disciples of Ragnos, promotion was warranted to the status of Jedi Knight.

During the Yuuzhan Vong War, Knights were known to have become so due to their great achievements during the war, and were able to forego any formal trials. The survivors of the Mission to Myrkr, who were dubbed Jedi Knights in a formal ceremony, are an example of this.

[edit] Jedi Trials of the Old Republic

[edit] Trial of Skill

The Trial of Skill usually consisted of a lightsaber duel with an adversary, or displaying particular skill in Force applications. The apprentice had to be sufficiently trained as a warrior, proving a working knowledge with the Force and basic mastery of lightsaber combat. Training for this trial was usually based on lightsaber combat training.

[edit] Notable examples

• Nomi Sunrider using her inherent ability with Jedi Battle meditation against the space pirate Gudb and his gangster companions.^[2]

• Revan's lightsaber duel with Juhani in the grove near the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, or his duel with Darth Bandon.^[6]

• Kazdan Paratus defeats a simulacrum using his knowledge of droids and technology. ^[7]

• Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber duel with Darth Maul on Naboo.^[3]

• Aayla Secura's duel with the Morgukai warrior Bok on Kintan.

• Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber duel with Asajj Ventress on Yavin 4.^[4]

• Galen Marek's duel with the Sith simulacrum, Darth Desolous.

• Luke Skywalker's lightsaber duel with Darth Vader on the second Death Star.^[8]

• Kyle Katarn's first lightsaber duel with Yun.

• Leia Organa Solo's lightsaber duel with Dark Jedi Alema Rar.

[edit] Trial of the Flesh

The Trial of the Flesh involved the apprentice overcoming great physical pain, hardship, or loss. It could also test the Jedi's mastery of detachment from physical pleasure and people.

[edit] Notable examples

• Sunrider not returning home and agreeing to complete her Jedi training, despite the pain of her husband's death, her fear of using lightsabers, and the dangers of the galaxy as a whole.^[2]

• Revan's first duel with the fallen Bastila Shan on the Rakatan Temple, or enduring interrogation and torture at the hands of Saul Karath.^[6]

• Obi-Wan Kenobi losing his Master Qui-Gon Jinn, during their duel against Darth Maul on Naboo, and not giving into vengeance to defeat Darth Maul.^[3]

• Aayla Secura suffering through an ordeal where her memories were wiped with glitteryll and being sold into slavery on Ryloth.

• Anakin Skywalker's loss of his right forearm during a duel with Count Dooku on Geonosis.^[9]

• Marek enduring Vader's tortures throughout his years of training, or surviving Vader's first betrayal.

• Luke Skywalker's loss of his right hand on Bespin during his duel with Darth Vader.^[8]

• Kyle Katarn overcoming his anger after learning Jerec was the one who killed his father.

• Ben Skywalker overcoming the loss of his mother at the hands of his cousin.^[10]

• Tenel Ka overcoming the loss of her left arm and refusing to have a mechanical replacment.

[edit] Trial of Courage

To pass the Trial of Courage, apprentices would fight courageously in battle, complete missions with a low chance of survival, or defeat a superior enemy.

[edit] Notable examples

• Sunrider finally agreeing to take up Thon's lightsaber, and using it to battle and defeat Bogga the Hutt's gang of thugs.^[2]

• Revan confronting the fallen Bastila and redeeming her, then finally facing off with Darth Malak in the Star Forge.^[6]

• Aayla Secura's rescue of Tholme and Nat Secura from the dungeons of Kh'aris Fenn.

• Anakin Skywalker's bravery throughout the Clone Wars, which saw him dubbed "Hero With No Fear."

• Marek defeating the insane Jedi Kazdan Paratus, or defeating Council member Shaak Ti.

• Luke Skywalker's final confrontation with Darth Vader and Darth Sidious on the second Death Star.^[11]

• Katarn defeating Jerec and the six Dark Jedi.

• Luke Skywalker's entire class of Jedi trainees facing and defeating the spirit of Exar Kun.^[12]

[edit] Trial of the Spirit

To pass the Trial of the Spirit, apprentices had to look deep within themselves, on a quest of self-discovery. Often times, apprentices did not like what they saw, and it could be a highly traumatic experience.

[edit] Notable examples

• Sunrider accompanying Thon to Ambria's Meditative Canyon, and facing the darkness in the great chasm below.^[2]

• Revan resisting the temptation of the dark side that Bastila gave him on the Rakatan Temple.^[6]

• Juhani coming to terms with the death of her Master Quatra by her own hand, before following Revan back to the light side and learning that Quatra was alive and just testing her ability to deal with failure and the lure of the dark side.^[6]

• Aayla Secura's ultimately successful struggle with her desire for revenge against Quinlan Vos, which triggered her descent into the Dark Side as the thrall of Volfe Karkko on Kiffex.

• Anakin Skywalker's vision during his mission on Nelvaan.

• Marek facing and defeating the spirit of his father in the Jedi Temple.

• Luke Skywalker's vision in the Dark Side Cave on Dagobah.^[11]

• Katarn resisting Jerec's tempation to give into the dark side by striking down his partner, Jan Ors.

• Kyp Durron facing and resisting the darkness within the Massassi Temple on Yavin 4.^[12]

[edit] Other Trials

During the days of the old Order, there were less formal trials for Initiates to become a Padawan. The first was a test of one's knowledge of the Jedi Code. This was usually done periodically throughout the Initiate's training with the master asking the Initiate occasional questions until he/she had proven to the master a thorough understanding of the Jedi Code.

The second was the trial of lightsaber construction in which the Initiate meditated with the Force and constructed his/her own lightsaber. During the time of the Galactic Republic, Jedi Padawans were required to construct their own lightsabers before becoming Knights.^[2]

There were three other notable trials that were usually undertaken in concert with the others.

Occasionally, an Initiate would be called upon to perform an additional task or quest. This could take the form of solving a judicial case, providing aid to a citizen in need, or similar situations.^[13] Another trial would be for the Initiate to complete a task to see the dark side for themselves and find a way to conquer it. Revan did this when he redeemed the fallen Cathar apprentice Juhani. ^[6]

[edit] Notable variations on Trial practices and special cases

In certain extraordinary circumstances the precise aspects of the trials were not strictly adhered to.

Examples of this:

• The Padawan Darsha Assant was assigned a mission to protect a Black Sun operative from assassination and it was implied that this mission would count as her Trials. Padawan Assant was killed by Darth Maul during this mission.

• Padawan Johun Othone was knighted by Jedi Lord and Master Valenthyne Farfalla after agreeing with the Jedi Council that Othone's service during the New Sith Wars warranted promotion. His final test and deciding factor was his full acceptance of being assigned to Supreme Chancellor Valorum's personal security detail.^[13]

• The promotion of Obi-Wan Kenobi to the rank of Jedi Knight immediately following his victory over the Sith Lord Darth Maul. This accomplishment as well as other circumstances surrounding this event such as the death of Qui-Gon Jinn and his wish for Obi-Wan to train Anakin Skywalker, was deemed enough to warrant the promotion of Kenobi to Jedi Knight.^[3]

• The promotion of Barriss Offee following her actions on Drongar and the subsequent Republic withdrawal of the planet. She did not suffer any loss, faced no Sith or Dark Jedi, but looked internally when discovering the bota-induced state of mind, realizing that the misuse would be of the dark side.

• The promotion of Anakin Skywalker following his heroic actions in the Battle of Praesitlyn.^[4]

• Revan was already a Knight before he led some of the Jedi in the Mandalorian Wars, and became the Dark Lord of the Sith. When he became an amnesiac after the war, he was made into a Padawan when he was taken in for Jedi training again. His actions throughout the war with Malak served as his new trials to allow him to re-achieve the rank.^[6]

[edit] Appearances

• Tales of the Jedi 5: The Saga of Nomi Sunrider, Part 3
• Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising
• Tales of the Jedi: Redemption
• Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
• Darth Bane: Rule of Two (Mentioned only)
• Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
• Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (First mentioned)
• Rogue Planet
• Star Wars Republic: Rite of Passage
• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic (Mentioned only)
• Republic Commando: Hard Contact (Mentioned only)
• MedStar I: Battle Surgeons
• MedStar II: Jedi Healer
• Jedi Trial
• Clone Wars Chapter 21 (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars Republic: The Hidden Enemy (Appears in flashback(s))
• Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight (Mentioned only)
• Champions of the Force
• Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
• Young Jedi Knights: Crisis at Crystal Reef
• Destiny's Way
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

[edit] Sources

• Living Force Campaign Guide
• Power of the Jedi Sourcebook

[edit] Notes & references

[edit] See also

• Jedi Youngling
• Jedi Padawan
• Jedi Knight
• Knighting ceremony
• Jedi Master
• Jedi Ranks

[edit] External links

•  Jedi Trials in the CUSWE