A Jedi Shadow represented a specialized path for a Jedi Consular or Sentinel, emphasizing training in the arts of stealth and covert operations. Operating under the direct authority of the Council of First Knowledge, Jedi Shadows were tasked with the clandestine destruction of all elements connected to the Sith and their adherents.
The practice of deploying Jedi Shadows dates back to the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace War, when they were sent to locate and eliminate any remaining artifacts from the supposedly vanquished Sith Empire. This mission involved destroying Sith amulets, along with other talismans and relics imbued with the power of the dark side of the Force. Despite these efforts, Sith artifacts persisted, even during the Great Sith War, a time when the Sith threat was believed to be extinguished. Jedi Shadows often wore robes of white or black, and sometimes incorporated armored plating on their legs and/or chest, reflecting their training to anticipate combat. The double-bladed lightsaber was a common weapon among Jedi Shadows.
Following the Great Sith War, a clandestine group known as the Jedi Covenant utilized Jedi Consulars in a similar capacity to the Shadows, employing visions to maintain vigilance against any manifestation of the dark side. Under the guidance of the retired Jedi Master Krynda Draay, a secret group of Shadows was formed by erasing the records of willing Jedi or fabricating their deaths during extended missions. These Jedi, including Celeste Morne, faced near extinction following the failure of Haazen's Vindication during the Mandalorian Wars.
During the Great Galactic War and the subsequent Cold War, the Galactic Republic employed Jedi Shadows against the resurrected Sith Empire. These Shadows were specifically trained Jedi Consulars.
In the millennia that followed, the Shadows continued their work, eliminating enemies of the light and safeguarding peace within the Galactic Republic. Some of the last members of this order existed during the Clone Wars, including Jedi Master Taria Damsin and Jedi Knight Maw; the latter was corrupted by the Inquisitor Jerec after the Great Jedi Purge.
Referred to as Shadows, and primarily composed of skilled Jedi Sentinels and Consulars, these Jedi effectively became shadows of both themselves and the Jedi Order. Operating in secrecy, the Council of First Knowledge carefully selected members for this task force, dispatching them to locations with strong dark side presence to neutralize any artifacts or dark side practitioners causing disturbances. Often involved in gathering intelligence, Shadows prioritized obtaining comprehensive data on their targets before launching decisive strikes. Due to the nature of their missions, Jedi Shadows were frequently perceived as solitary figures with a stark, black-and-white worldview. This could manifest as paranoia, leading them to perceive signs of the dark side in everything, even among their allies. Consequently, they were often deployed cautiously and only after significant conflicts. Shadows were resolute in their duty and prepared to betray those they deemed evil, but they typically exercised restraint, recognizing that their definitions of such enemies did not always align with the Council's. Some within their ranks advocated for more aggressive measures to eradicate followers of the dark side. Furthermore, they were authorized to study and utilize dark side Force abilities beyond the standard practices of a Jedi Knight.
The term "Jedi Shadow" also designates an advanced class for the Jedi Consular in the Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO game. This specialized class excels in using the double-bladed lightsaber, employing stealth tactics, and delivering bursts of damage in combat. They also possess the ability to tank, utilizing Force Powers and Lightsaber skills to protect themselves and their allies. The Imperial equivalent of this archetype is the Sith assassin.