What Jedi Mercenaries Could Mean For The Future Of Star Wars
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Most of the Jedi who survived the Purge went into hiding after Order 66, sometimes even completely separating themselves from the Force so that the Sith and their troops could not find them. Others voluntarily or involuntarily joined the Empire and became Inquisitors, searching for and killing their former comrades. The upcoming Ahsoka series will include an interesting new role for at least one Jedi who was left abandoned after their Order had collapsed.
The teaser trailer for the Disney+ show, which will premiere on August 23, introduced a man called Baylan Skoll, played by the recently deceased Ray Stevenson. Skoll is a former Jedi Knight, who had become a mercenary by around 9 ABY and even had an apprentice, Shin Hati. Ivanna Sakhno, the actress who portrays her, is 25, so it is reasonable to assume that her character will roughly be the same age. This could mean that Skoll had either rescued a very young Shin Hati during the raid on the Jedi Temple, or he could have found her shortly after the Purge and protected her from the Inquisitors.
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Image Source: Lucasfilm Ltd.
The trailer clearly implies that Skoll and Hati will be two of Ahsoka's opponents, probably hired by Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) to stop the former Jedi from finding Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Jedi For Hire
The idea of Jedi mercenaries is both strange and also obvious at the same time. The Lost 20 refers to Jedi Masters who had left the Order over the centuries, but there must be countless Knights, Padawans, or even Younglings who have done the same. Maybe they became disillusioned with the way of the Jedi or the strict rules it applied. Traveling the galaxy and getting in contact with other ways of living, they could have become intrigued and decided to not go back at all.
But this decision would leave them with the task to find a new way of living. The Jedi Order had given them a home, food, clothing, and everything they needed to fulfill their missions, but now they would have to look after themselves, build a new life, and ultimately earn money. So it is natural that some might have become mercenaries.
And there surely would be no lack of demand for a gun for hire who can wield the Force and has a lightsaber. Someone far superior to any regular mercenary or bounty hunter, no matter how big or strong.
Although Skoll and Hati seem to have left the path of the Light Side (as represented by their dark orange lightsabers), a former Jedi could still be a mercenary and stay true to his or her former beliefs, as not all jobs involve killing, torture, or destruction. Theoretically, a Jedi mercenary could still do the same things they had done while being part of the Order, such as settling conflicts and helping those in need; the difference is, he or she would now get paid to do these things.
Jedi Mercenaries In The Star Wars Timeline
The years after the fall of the Empire (Ahsoka takes place at 9 ABY) seem predestined for Jedi mercenaries like Skoll or Hati. There are no Sith anymore looking for them, and Luke Skywalker is still in the early process of building a new Jedi Order, so the few former Jedi still alive who can't or won't join him have to find their way in a galaxy that still lacks a new overarching political structure, featuring many systems ruled by crime syndicates or local warlords that have a strong demand for muscle.
Image Source: Lucasfilm Ltd.
But the concept of Jedi mercenaries can be applied to all eras of Star Wars as well, from the Old Republic, the High Republic, the time before the rise of Palpatine, to the era of the Rebellion.
Allies Or Foes
It is unlikely that mercenaries, trained and able to use the Force, will ever become a major power in the Star Wars galaxy, as their number is simply too small, no matter the era. But their mere existence opens up interesting possibilities; such beings are neither bound by the Jedi code nor the Sith Rule of Two. In essence, they could become something similar to the Gray Jedi of the former Expanded Universe, able (and free) to tap into both sides of the Force without completely succumbing to either of them. As all Force-powers are practically fair game, they could acquire and use abilities that neither Jedi nor Sith could (or would).
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Depending on their client and missions, they could become powerful allies to the Jedi, or formidable foes, as their range of Force powers potentially exceeds those of the Jedi.
It remains to be seen whether Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati are the only Jedi mercenaries of this period, or if others will appear in other TV shows, books, comics, or video games. There are already other Force-users in the Star Wars galaxy besides Jedi and Sith, such as the Nightsisters of Dathomir, but Jedi mercs, who are not bound by Jedi ethics or the Sith greed for power, would be an interesting new addition to this roster.
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Sources: Wookieepedia, YouTube
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