Poli Dapatian

Poli Dapatian, a Force-sensitive human Jedi Master belonging to the Jedi Order, served as a member of the Jedi High Council during the Galactic Republic's era. After a lengthy period of service on the Council, he took on the responsibility of training a Padawan, who had been one of Qui-Gon Jinn's crèche-mates when he was a Jedi Initiate before Jinn became a Padawan in 68 BBY. At the time, many Jedi found it questionable that he was teaching a student while also serving on the Council, and his ability to manage both responsibilities effectively was the only reason it was allowed. Dapatian remained on the Council with his colleagues for a number of years afterward, earning the respect of many Jedi.

In 41 BBY, while in the Council Chamber of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, a planet in the Core Worlds, Dapatian was present at a meeting with Jedi Master Eno Cordova and his Padawan, Cere Junda. He and the other council members dispatched the pair to the planet Ontotho to investigate an ancient temple, agreeing that Cordova's skill with artifacts would make it a good assignment.

Dapatian chose to step down from his position on the Jedi High Council in 40 BBY, informing his fellow Council members of his decision. Afterward, he and the other members of the Council debated who should take his place and ultimately decided to offer the position to Jinn, who was by then a Jedi Master, despite the objections of Grand Master Yoda. Soon after, they informed Kirames Kaj, the Republic Supreme Chancellor, that Jinn would be invited to join the Council due to the upcoming resignation. At the following Council meeting with Jinn in the Jedi Council Chamber, Dapatian observed as Jedi Master Mace Windu informed Jinn of the impending retirement and the Council's proposal for him to become their next member.

Jinn, taken aback by the offer, requested time to carefully consider his decision, a request that Dapatian and his colleagues granted with amusement. After the meeting, the Jedi Master realized that accepting the appointment to fill Dapatian's position would mean that his own Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would be reassigned to a different Master. Before Jinn could make a decision, he and Kenobi were assigned an urgent mission to the Inner Rim planet Pijal to approve the Governance Treaty initiative for the Pijali monarchy. While in her office, Kaj briefed Jinn and Kenobi on their mission and casually mentioned the Jedi Master's invitation to the Council due to Dapatian's approaching resignation.

While on Pijal, Jinn decided to go against his mission parameters and refused to ratify the Governance Treaty, citing concerns about the ritual language in its draft and the troubling Force visions he had received regarding the upcoming coronation of Fanry, the Pijali Princess. Kenobi disagreed with his Master's decision and contacted the Jedi Council using a holographic comm terminal in the library of the world's royal palace. After hearing Kenobi's report, Dapatian voiced his concern that Jinn had acted irrationally by disrupting the diplomatic process when the world's political situation was already tense. He also expressed interest in Jinn's Force visions regarding the treaty but ultimately felt that making decisions based on them would be unwise. In the end, Dapatian and the rest of the Council decided to let Kenobi ratify the Governance Treaty in Jinn's place, which the Padawan eventually did. Days later, upon the pair's return to Coruscant, Jinn declined the invitation to join the Jedi Council. Dapatian was shocked by his refusal, blinking repeatedly in surprise but eventually understanding the reasoning behind the decision.

In the second chapter of Skywalker: A Family at War, a thorough biography of the Skywalker family written by Kitrin Braves, a journalist, and published sometime after the 35 ABY release of The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire, a book by Beaumont Kin, a historian, the Jedi Master was indirectly mentioned. The book discussed the circumstances surrounding Jinn's refusal to join the Jedi Council to take Dapatian's place.

By the time he retired, Poli Dapatian's many years of service on the Jedi Council had earned him widespread recognition and respect among the members of the Jedi Order. He demonstrated the ability to train a Padawan while also managing his duties as a Council member, a commitment that many Jedi felt they could not handle. When advising Kenobi on the Governance Treaty, Dapatian strongly argued for upholding the rule of law whenever possible and emphasized the benefits of diplomatic processes in resolving disputes. He was wary of relying on Force visions when making practical decisions, preferring to err on the side of caution. By 40 BBY, Dapatian had tan skin and appeared aged.

While on Coruscant, Dapatian wore a black shirt and a brown cloak. He also frequently used a gray respirator mask to assist with his breathing.

Poli Dapatian's first appearance was in Master & Apprentice, a novel by Claudia Gray released on April 16, 2019. Prior to the novel's release, he was featured in a preview for the book on StarWars.com on February 13. Dapatian was first depicted in a flashback in the first issue of the Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple comic-book series. Matthew Rosenberg wrote the issue, Paolo Villanelli did the pencils, and Marvel Comics published it on September 4, 2019.