Join The Infernal Brotherhood of the Scruffy Looking, Nerf Herders as they explore Star Wars lore via their own personal Holocron. This episode will focus on Founding The Jedi Order.
Transcript
Cold Open
Before the Republic… before Coruscant… before the Jedi Council… There was only Tython. A world of balance — light and dark held in fragile harmony. But balance could not last forever. When the Force Wars shattered Tython and brother turned against brother, a choice had to be made: Embrace the darkness… Remain divided… Or forge something entirely new. This is the story of how the Jedi Order was born.
Intro
Greetings, my fellow Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herders, and welcome back to The Infernal Brotherhood! Today we’re diving into one of the most important turning points in galactic history — the founding of the Jedi Order. Not the Je’daii. Not the New Jedi Order. But the moment the followers of Ashla left balance behind and dedicated themselves fully to the light side of the Force. We’ll explore how the devastation of the Force Wars reshaped an ancient philosophy, how early Masters like Rajivari nearly destroyed the Order before it truly began, and how the Jedi rose from the ashes of Tython to become the guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic. This is the birth of the Holy Order of the Jedi Knights.
Discussion
From Je’daii to Jedi
The true origins of the Jedi trace back to the lush Deep Core world of Tython. Around 36,453 BBY, mysterious pyramid-shaped vessels known as the Tho Yor gathered philosophers, scientists, priests, and warriors from across the galaxy and brought them to Tython. These beings became known as the Je’daii Order. Unlike the Jedi who would follow, the Je’daii believed in balance. They studied both Ashla — the light side — and Bogan — the dark side. They believed understanding both aspects of the Force was essential. For millennia, this philosophy endured. Until it didn’t. Around 25,793 BBY, tensions between the followers of Ashla and Bogan erupted into the devastating conflict known as the Force Wars. The war ravaged Tython. The planet itself fell out of balance. Entire ecosystems were destroyed. In the end, the followers of Bogan were defeated. And the survivors of Ashla made a radical decision. Balance had failed. The dark side was too dangerous to tolerate. The Je’daii Order would be reborn — not as guardians of balance, but as defenders of the light. The Jedi Order was formed.
The First Jedi Masters
Among the earliest Jedi were Masters Rajivari, Garon Jard, Cala Brin, and Ters Sendon. They began to shape the Order’s first tenets. Early councils were held — week-long gatherings where leaders reflected on how to protect the Order from falling to darkness again. These meetings were the earliest forms of what would later become the Jedi Council. But the shadow of Bogan was not gone. One of the Order’s founders — Master Rajivari — turned against his fellow Jedi. He began preaching that the Order should embrace Bogan once more, claiming the dark side was a source of strength. Rajivari attempted to seize control of the fledgling Order and even tried to murder his fellow Masters. He was killed. His followers barricaded themselves within the fortress of Kaleth, but they were ultimately defeated. The lesson was clear. The dark side could not be studied safely. After this betrayal, the Jedi made another historic decision. They would abandon Tython.
Exodus and Ossus
Leaving behind their devastated birthplace, the Jedi fled the Deep Core and ventured into Wild Space. They eventually discovered a verdant world reminiscent of what Tython once was. That world was Ossus. On Ossus, the Jedi established a great academy and began centuries of quiet study and refinement. They welcomed members of other Force traditions and slowly assimilated their philosophies. This was where the Jedi identity truly solidified. They carried over ancient traditions from Tython — including forging Force-imbued blades — but technological innovation soon changed their weapon of choice. Through the study of an off-world weapon known as the Forcesaber, the Jedi perfected what would become their signature weapon: The lightsaber. Elegant. Precise. Symbolic. A blade of pure energy wielded in defense — never aggression.
Joining the Republic
For centuries, the Jedi remained isolated from galactic politics. But in 24,953 BBY, they made a fateful decision. They joined the newly formed Galactic Republic. Though still based on Ossus, the Jedi aligned themselves with the Republic’s mission of galactic peace. They were no longer just philosophers. They were peacekeepers. Guardians. Warriors when necessary — but always servants, never rulers. Over time, the Jedi High Council emerged as the governing authority of the Order, guiding its members and crafting regulations designed to prevent another Rajivari… or another Force War. But not everyone agreed with this structured path. A Kashi Mer exile named Xendor rejected the Order’s restraint and embraced the dark side, founding the Legions of Lettow. This schism foreshadowed many more to come. The struggle between light and dark was far from over.
The Jedi Code
To guide its members, the Order refined a philosophy that would define it for millennia: The Jedi Code. Derived from older Je’daii teachings and transcribed by Master Homonix Rectonia, later refined by Odan-Urr, the Code emphasized peace, knowledge, serenity, and harmony. “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 Code was not merely a set of rules. It was armor against the dark side. A reminder that the Jedi were servants of the Force — not masters of it.
Legacy of the Founding
From Tython to Ossus, and eventually to Coruscant, the Jedi Order would grow over thousands of years. The Great Jedi Library on Ossus became a repository of knowledge — even housing forbidden Sith holocrons under careful supervision. Masters like Odan-Urr preserved ancient texts, believing that even knowledge of evil had value — so long as it was controlled. But history would prove, time and again, that the dark side was never truly gone. From the First Great Schism to the rise of the Sith, from Exar Kun to the fall of the Republic, the Jedi would face endless trials. Yet the foundation laid in the ashes of Tython endured. The Jedi were no longer seekers of balance. They were champions of the light.
Outro
The founding of the Jedi Order was not a moment of triumph. It was a reaction to catastrophe. The Force Wars proved that balance between light and dark was unsustainable. Rajivari’s betrayal proved that even the greatest Jedi could fall. So the survivors chose a path of discipline. Service. Sacrifice. And unwavering dedication to the light side of the Force. For thousands of years, that decision shaped the fate of the galaxy. But as we know… even the brightest orders can cast long shadows. If you enjoyed this deep dive into the origins of the Jedi Order, make sure to like the video and subscribe for more Legends and canon lore breakdowns. And let me know in the comments — Should the Je’daii have remained balanced… Or was the creation of the Jedi Order inevitable?Until we convene again, my fellow Scruffy Looking Nerf Herders… May the Force Be With You!