Jedi Trials

History

Since its inception on Tython, the Jedi trials have been a deeply rooted tradition within the Jedi Order. In the times preceding the High Council's establishment and the standardization of teachings at the Jedi academy, the Trials lacked formal structure, being administered by a Padawan's master and notorious for their severity, often bordering on the impossible. As time progressed, the trials experienced a gradual easing, with standards plummeting notably during the New Sith Wars. To address this decline, the High Council, following the Ruusan Reformation, formalized five specific tests to be conducted within the Jedi Trials Chamber at the Coruscant Jedi Temple. This specialized chamber, nestled deep within the Temple, boasted a cutting-edge hologram projector capable of generating tangible simulacrums of both ancient Jedi and Sith. Beyond the Trials' combat aspects, the chamber was meticulously designed to assess a range of skills, many simulating the unpredictable scenarios Jedi might encounter in the field.

The High Council, along with the current battlemaster, supervised the Trials, which concluded upon completion of all tests. Successful Padawans were then prepared by their Masters for the Knighting ceremony. As the ceremony drew near, the Padawan would dedicate an entire day to profound meditation within the preparation chamber, located high within the Tranquility Spire. When the moment arrived to ascend to the Hall of Knighthood, the Padawan would enter the dimly lit chamber and kneel before the Order's Grand Master to have their Padawan braid ritually severed. Apprentices who failed the trials were granted the opportunity to retake them until successful.

In The Jedi Path, Restelly Quist, the long-deceased Chief Librarian, recounted a tale of multiple Trials being completed concurrently. The story detailed how, during the eighth hour of the Trial of Skill, three Padawans undergoing their Trials simultaneously faced additional, individual trials. One student, battling an endless wave of holographic warriors, achieved both the Trial of Insight and Skill by recognizing the warriors as mere illusions. Another, fueled by the belief that her life was in danger, defeated countless foes, thereby passing the Trials of Courage and Skill. Conversely, the third student succumbed to exhaustion and failed to complete the Trials.

While exceptions to the trials were infrequent, they did occur. During times of upheaval, the High Council could, at its discretion, waive the trials if a Padawan demonstrated exceptional skill, courage, or dedication to the Order. In such instances, the apprentice was deemed to have passed the trials through their accomplishments, rendering formal testing unnecessary. Shortly after the academy's re-establishment on Coruscant, Master Valenthyne Farfalla knighted Padawan Johun Othone in recognition of his courageous service during the New Sith Wars and his unwavering commitment to the Order, even after the loss of his master, Jedi Lord Hoth. Later in the Order's history, both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker attained the rank of Jedi Knight without undergoing formal trials, instead passing through their actions: Kenobi, via his duel against the Sith Lord Darth Maul, and Skywalker, through his valor during the Clone Wars. Mace Windu characterized Ahsoka Tano's efforts to exonerate herself as her "Great Trial".

The Galactic Empire's disbandment of the Order in 19 BBY brought the Trials to an end, relegating them to distant memory for decades as the Galactic Civil War ravaged the galaxy. Following the war, Yoda, a survivor of the Great Jedi Purge, instructed Luke Skywalker in the ways of the old Order. Although conventional trials were not conducted, Skywalker knighted himself and established a new Order. Integrating his limited knowledge of the old ways with his own insights, Skywalker required his initial class to journey through the ruins of the Massassi Temples on Yavin 4, demonstrating proficiency in Force powers to overcome obstacles and showcasing combat skills with training remotes and Jedi training droids. Furthermore, they were tasked with missions, both alongside their Master and independently.

During the brutal Yuuzhan Vong War, Knights were exempted from formal trials due to their significant contributions to the war effort. The survivors of the Mission to Myrkr, formally knighted in a ceremony, exemplify this. As the Order gradually rebuilt using recovered holocrons, the New Order reinstated formal trials.

Trials of Knighthood in the old Jedi Order

Trial of Skill

The Trial of Skill stood as one of the most established assessments within the Order's suite of tests. While it encompassed various displays of lightsaber prowess, the battlemaster primarily evaluated a potential Knight's capacity to maintain focus amidst distractions through self-discipline. Prior to its formalization, the trial involved acrobatic displays coupled with Force-assisted levitation of objects during storms. With the test's integration into the standardized academy curriculum, the High Council mandated a three-part assessment encompassing physical, mental, and combat challenges. Standard physical challenges included tests of climbing, dealing with heights, endurance, escape techniques, and leaping. The subsequent mental challenges assessed levitation skills, a second endurance test, performance under duress, and reflection. The trial's final segment required students to confront an adversary, whose species, allegiance, and composition (whether flesh and blood or a sophisticated simulacrum) varied. These tests of conflict, dueling, and mental fortitude pitted Padawans against droids, fellow students, the Temple Battlemaster, or even the Grand Master, demanding they withstand their attacks. Other students might face multiple opponents, some wielding lightsabers, others manipulating perception or the chamber's environment. The Council could also employ the simulacrum program to dispatch numerous Sith Lords, testing a young Padawan's resilience.

Throughout the Order's history, numerous noteworthy tests have showcased remarkable ingenuity. One of the earliest documented attempts was by young Rouggle during the Golden Age of the Old Republic. Rouggle, a contemporary of Thame Cerulian, failed the test when manipulation of the tiles beneath him caused a fall, ending his attempt. During the Clone Wars, Anakin passed this trial by defeating Asajj Ventress on Yavin 4. A particularly intriguing case involved Kazdan Paratus, who triumphed by rapidly constructing a series of droids. The last recorded test occurred during the Empire's reign, when Sith Lord Darth Vader dispatched his secret apprentice, Starkiller, to the Temple to confront a simulacrum of the deceased Pau'an Sith, Darth Desolous. Utilizing his advanced skills to exhaust the projection, the assassin employed the Force to topple a statue onto the holographic foe, thereby completing the test.

Trial of Courage

Given the paramount importance of courage in a Jedi, the Trial of Courage was deemed essential, even for those not specializing in combat. To maintain the element of surprise, details of individual tests were typically kept confidential. Before standardization, acts of battlefield heroism or confrontations with Sith Lords sufficed as passing criteria. However, the Republic's Golden Age necessitated a different approach. The Council could simulate a perilous mission within the Trials Chamber or dispatch a student on a real-world mission. These tests could be deadly and exceptionally challenging, underscoring the Council's selectivity in permitting candidates to undertake the Trials.

Notable tests included the assignment of Darsha Assant to extract the Black Sun intelligence operative Oolth from the depths of the Coruscant underworld. Although she initially succeeded, Oolth ultimately perished. Assant was later intercepted and killed by Sith Lord Darth Maul, resulting in her failure. Later, Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi faced Maul after the Zabrak Sith murdered Kenobi's master, the esteemed Qui-Gon Jinn. Kenobi's victory over Maul on Naboo earned him passage in the Council's eyes. Kenobi's own Padawan would also bypass formal Trials; the Council recognized Anakin Skywalker's bravery throughout the Clone Wars as sufficient.

Trial of the flesh

The Trial of the Flesh represented the most demanding test administered at the Temple. Requiring apprentices to overcome intense physical pain, hardship, or loss, the test occasionally resulted in death or dismemberment. Throughout history, the Trial was synonymous with bloodshed. During the height of the Pius Dea Era, the Order subjected apprentices to bursts of energy applied directly to the skin, a practice known as The Burning. While this form of torture was discontinued, battle scars were accepted as passage during the New Sith Wars. It was not uncommon for Padawans who defeated a Sith Lord on the battlefield to simultaneously pass the Trials of the Flesh, Skill, and Courage. During the Arkanian Revolution, Squire Kinning sacrificed an arm to pass the tests. During the Golden Age, the Council viewed the separation of Master and Padawan at the end of their training as a significant trial, given the typically close nature of their relationship.

During the Clone Wars, Padawan Anakin Skywalker lost his right forearm in a duel with Count Dooku on Geonosis. Despite this being attributed to recklessness, Master Kenobi persuaded the Council to accept it as fulfilling the Trial of the Flesh. During the Dark Times, Sith assassin Starkiller confronted and defeated a simulacrum of his father within the High Council Chambers of the Coruscant Temple. In the reformed Order of the New Republic era, Apprentice Tenel Ka overcame the loss of her left arm and refused a mechanical replacement, thereby passing her test.

During the Galactic Civil War, Luke Skywalker passed the Trial of the Flesh by losing his right hand in his battle with his father, Darth Vader, in Cloud City.

Trial of the Spirit

The Trial of the Spirit required apprentices to embark on a quest of self-discovery, delving deep within their souls. This test aimed to pit potential Knights against their most formidable adversary: their inner darkness. Often, apprentices found the experience unpleasant and highly traumatic. Consequently, this Trial was frequently referred to as Facing the Mirror. While sharing similarities with the Trial of Skill, this test typically involved no physical movement; instead, Padawans entered a deep meditative trance to confront their inner fears and demons. Due to the highly personal nature of the test, the High Council refrained from dictating its specifics. Padawans were tasked with crafting the narrative of their own journey. Given the inherent dangers of deep meditation, a Master was always present to guide students back after they had ventured beyond their comfort zones. The worst possible outcome of a failed trial was awakening from meditation in a state of screaming and mental breakdown.

During the Order's final days, thousands of Jedi underwent this test. Whether confronting visions of nexu or formidable foes, the test invariably proved emotionally taxing. While unconventional, the High Council acknowledged that Anakin Skywalker had indeed passed the Trial (amidst the spiritual throes of a cavernous Force vision preceding a heroic tribal rescue) on Nelvaan in 19 BBY. There, on a mission, Skywalker entered a deep meditative state and envisioned himself as Darth Vader, his future incarnation as a Dark Lord of the Sith. Decades later, Skywalker's son, Luke, was urged to undertake the same trial on the swamp world of Dagobah. In accordance with tradition, the exiled Grand Master Yoda observed the test from nearby as young Skywalker entered the mysterious cave emerging from the muck. Inside, Skywalker briefly dueled his father, Darth Vader, before decapitating him. As Vader's helmeted head rolled past Skywalker's feet, the mask shattered, revealing Luke's own face staring back.

Another notable test occurred at the Temple on Coruscant, albeit in its ruined state with the Jedi Trials Chamber inaccessible. The Sith assassin known as Starkiller once again infiltrated the Temple, heading directly for the Holocron Chamber within the Tower of First Knowledge. After opening a holocron of his father, Kento Marek, the assassin entered a trance and envisioned dueling a purely dark side version of himself. Turning away from Darth Vader and the dark side to avoid becoming the shadow figure he had fought, Starkiller departed the Temple for the last time.

Trial of Insight

The Trial of Insight served as the final test within the Trials of Knighthood. Introduced to the Trials program after recognizing that Jedi, while capable of defeating Sith, could be undone by common thieves, this test assisted Jedi in perceiving reality through the Force. Essential to mission success were the abilities to see through illusions, accurately assess individuals, and uncover deceit. To pass the test, Padawans were prohibited from consulting the Jedi Archives for possible solutions, as such an advantage would render the test pointless. The Trial might require Padawans to analyze and decipher the High Riddles of Dwartii or decode fragmented text in scattered files. In some instances, a field of stones would be laid out in the Trials Chamber, and Padawans would be tasked with locating a single grain of sand.

Although not officially sanctioned by the disbanded High Council, Sith apprentice Starkiller undertook this Trial in the years preceding the Galactic Civil War. Due to the Temple's damaged interior and malfunctioning computers, Starkiller faced a simulacrum that could manifest within the Temple Archives. Assuming the guise of Darth Phobos, a long-dead Theelin Sith Lady, Starkiller was challenged to see past her disguises as she morphed into his beloved pilot and friend, Juno Eclipse. Despite initial difficulties, Starkiller crushed the Sith simulacrum beneath a pile of rubble, defeating the program.

The Almas Academy Trials

As a satellite facility of the Jedi academy on Coruscant, the Academy on Almas adopted a different teaching approach compared to the main school at the Jedi Temple. When a student was deemed ready for the Trials, a group of Masters convened to oversee them. A set of three tests was developed to effectively assess potential Knights, considered by some to be less challenging than those of the main academy, and by others to be more demanding. During the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was dispatched to the Academy to evaluate its trials and determine whether to continue its program. He ultimately decided in favor of its continuation.

The first test involved an inquiry by the Almas Council regarding the student's understanding and application of the Jedi Code and its principles. The Code's application and its relevance to each student were scrutinized and analyzed until the Council was satisfied that they grasped Jedi philosophies and embodied what it meant to be a Jedi. Upon successfully passing the first trial, the student was sent to the academy's basement and instructed to meditate for five days. Completion of the meditation authorized them to undertake the third and final test, typically held in the deserts of Almas. This final test represented a fusion of the Coruscant trials, where students confronted their fears through combat, demonstrations of the Force, or any other skill at their disposal.

Behind the scenes

The Trials of Skill, Flesh, Courage, and Spirit were first mentioned in "Chapter 21" of the animated microseries Star Wars: Clone Wars, which was broadcast on Cartoon Network on March 21, 2005.

Starkiller's Trial of the Spirit is portrayed differently in the PS2/Wii version of The Force Unleashed. In this version, Starkiller arrives at the devastated High Council Chamber, then enters a trance where he witnesses a seemingly resurrected Kento battling Darth Vader. As his master falters and faces imminent defeat, Starkiller rushes to his aid. They fight together until Starkiller gets the upper hand and fatally stabs his opponent. As he dies, Kento apologizes to Starkiller for how his life turned out, calling him "son". Realizing who he has slain, Starkiller grabs Kento's body as it collapses, only to find that the entire fight was an illusion. Disturbed by what he has seen, Starkiller leaves the temple without a word.