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

A Jedi was a member of the Jedi Order, Corellian Jedi, Altisian Jedi, New Jedi Order and others, who studied, served and used the mystical energies of the Force. The usual weapon of the Jedi was the lightsaber, a weapon with a blade made of pure energy. The Jedi fought for peace and justice in the Galactic Republic, usually against their mortal enemies, the Dark Jedi, who studied the Dark Side of the Force.

History of the Jedi

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

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

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

Millennia later, the Galactic Empire reconstituted the Jedi Order into the Church of the Dark Side, arresting or killing those who resisted the change. Yet, even this catastrophe failed to eradicate the Jedi completely, and, within a few decades, they had returned to once again protect and nurture the galaxy with their wisdom and guidance in the form of the New Jedi Order. The Jedi would continue to protect and serve the galaxy through the horrors of the Yuuzhan Vong War.

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