The Guardians of the Whills, alternatively called the Guardians of the Kyber Temple, comprised a spiritual order of warrior-monks. This order was established by 483 BBY within Jedha City on the planet Jedha. Their tradition involved the creation of the lightbow, a complex variant of the bowcaster unique to Jedha. A notable example is the one wielded by Chirrut Îmwe during the Battle of Scarif. These Guardians were dedicated to protecting both the Temple of the Kyber and the pilgrims who journeyed there.
Distinct from, yet known to, the Jedi Order, this religious order was established by 483 BBY. The central tenet of the Guardians of the Whills' mantra emphasized unity with the Force. Similar to numerous other organizations rooted in the Force, the Guardians maintained a presence in Jedha City, where they faithfully crafted the indigenous lightbow. Furthermore, on Jedha, they safeguarded numerous temple artifacts and oversaw prisoners, ensuring their humane treatment. Despite facing insults, the Guardians steadfastly continued their work. Around 483 BBY, Sachar Rold, a priest within the order, experienced a Force vision depicting a radiant blueness. This vision significantly influenced his departure from the Guardians. He came to believe the Force should be "liberated" and that its utilization in any form was inherently wrong. Consequently, Rold established a cult known as the Path of the Open Hand on the planet Dalna.
By 382 BBY, Oklane Viss held the position of Captain of the Guard for the group. The Guardians of the Whills were among the various Force-based religions represented at the Convocation of the Force on Jedha. In that same year, the Guardians were granted special authority to oversee security at the peace summit between the warring planets of Eiram and E'ronoh. Following the summit's failure, the Guardians joined forces with the Jedi in the Battle of Jedha, prioritizing the minimization of civilian casualties. Sadly, several Guardians perished during the conflict. Post-battle, the Guardians played a crucial role in the reconstruction of Jedha City. Their presence was particularly beneficial, as they were more readily accepted by the populace than the Jedi, who still faced resentment from past control over Jedha City. Amidst the fragile peace that settled over the city, the Guardians served as a stabilizing influence, maintaining a visible presence in the streets. Werth Plouth of the Path of the Open Hand was incarcerated by the Guardians for instigating a riot that triggered the battle.
During the Imperial Era, the Guardians persisted in their duty of safeguarding pilgrims visiting the revered Temple of the Kyber in Jedha City. Despite their protection of the Temple, when the Galactic Empire ransacked it in search of valuable kyber crystals intended for their new Death Star [superweapon](/article/superweapon], the Guardians of the Whills remained in the vicinity of the desecrated site.
In 1 BBY, rebels Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor journeyed to Jedha, hoping to locate an Imperial defector who possessed critical intelligence regarding the Empire's advanced weapon. As they navigated through Jedha City, the pair inadvertently became entangled in a Partisan assault on Imperial tanks. As Imperial stormtroopers closed in on the rebels, Chirrut Îmwe, a human Guardian, intervened, diverting the attention of the troopers. With the assistance of his comrade, Baze Malbus, a former Guardian of the Whills, Îmwe neutralized all the stormtroopers, effectively rescuing the rebels. As the rebels continued their mission, Îmwe and Malbus chose to join the Rebel Alliance, remaining committed until their sacrifice at the Battle of Scarif. Throughout their service, they consistently applied the teachings of the Guardians of the Whills.
In the initial iterations of A New Hope, the term "Whills" denoted a preliminary concept of what would eventually become the Force.
In the script for Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, a scene that was ultimately cut featured the spirit of Qui-Gon Jinn informing Yoda that he had learned the secret of becoming a Force spirit after death from a Shaman of the Whills. In another deleted line, Yoda asserted that the "Ancient Order of the Whills" held the key to immortality. Jinn's statement was echoed by the then-canon Databank and the Encyclopedia on StarWars.com.
A later, canon interpretation of this scene appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, but instead of the Shaman of the Whills, Qui-Gon directed Yoda to the Wellspring of Life as the source of immortality.