Dark Jedi

Dark Jedi is the name given in the Star Wars universe to fictional characters attuned to the Force and adept in its dark side. They exist by that name only in the Expanded Universe, including video games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the Jedi Knight series; the term is never used in any of the six Star Wars films. By Episode I, Lucas had established the specific term for the "Dark Jedi" as Sith.

Qualifications

Dark Jedi is a label to a specific archetype of characters in the Star Wars Expanded Universe defined as Force-attuned beings that meet two requirements: They do not hold themselves to the dogma of either the Jedi or the Sith, and they use their Force abilities for less than virtuous acts that would normally be looked down upon by the Jedi Order. As it has been mentioned, the concept of Dark Jedi is not endorsed anywhere within either movie trilogy. Dark Jedi in the Expanded Universe typically refer to students of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy who have fallen to the dark side. Dark Jedi are also extremely common in the Knights of the Old Republic series in league with the Sith Empire and are often fallen Jedi from the Mandalorian Wars. Dark Jedi also appear in the Jedi Knight series of Star Wars video games, where Kyle Katarn uncovers Imperial plots linked to Dark Jedi. In Jedi Outcast, Katarn faces an entire army of Dark Jedi, cloned and lightly trained force users who follow the main antagonist. Dark Jedi have distanced from Sith in more modern Star Wars media. They are not sworn enemies of the Jedi Order and do not consider destroying it a priority as Sith do. Dark Jedi do not always appear in pairs with a master and apprentice and often work alone.

Because the term Sith was never spoken in the original trilogy (although Darth Vader was described as "Lord of the Sith" in the published screenplay), early Expanded Universe products usually considered the "evil Jedi," those who joined the dark side of the Force, as "Dark Jedi." In his novel series The Thrawn Trilogy, author Timothy Zahn labeled Sith Lord Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine as Dark Jedi, and the term "Sith" was never mentioned in the series until later reprints of the novels.

Common usage

Dark Jedi use the Force for their own ends while attempting to utilize both sides of the Force, owing no allegiance. They do not exclusively bond themselves to either the light or dark sides of the Force. While a Dark Jedi can use Jedi and Sith Force arts with ease, they rarely obtain the mastery of either side. Palpatine trained many Force-sensitive beings in the ways of the dark side of the Force, but most were never initiated into the rites and secrets of the Sith. Force-sensitive individuals seem to arise spontaneously and may become adept at the Force without Jedi or Sith involvement. It is true, however, that many notable Dark Jedi have received at least some Jedi training.

Palpatine did not consider himself completely bound by Sith tradition (he had begun training his first apprentice, Darth Maul, prior to the death of his own Master, Darth Plagueis, which was a violation of Darth Bane's Rule of Two). It was believed by some that he planned to eventually do away with the Rule of Two entirely in order to have legions of Sith at his disposal.

It is also worthy to note that though a Dark Jedi may believe himself to be acting for a "greater good," the dark side of the Force is a path that ultimately leads to self-destruction (as was the case when Ulic Qel-Droma, Revan, and Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side), regardless of the motives or misguided morals of those who walk it. Mara Jade is another primary example of a Dark Jedi who served evil, but still mistakenly believed her actions to be just. Eventually, she turned from the dark side, but still carried the teachings of the Emperor with her, such as her lightsaber techniques. Contrary to the Jedi method of purging emotion and gaining power via meditation and training, Dark Jedi, like Sith, allow their emotions to empower them.

Notable Dark Jedi

• Asajj Ventress
• Joruus C'Baoth
• Juhani  — wanted to become a Jedi after Revan rescued her from slavery
• Jerec
• Revan — the Light and the Dark wage a constant war within him
• Depa Billaba
• Anakin Skywalker — also known as Darth Vader of the Sith Lords
• Count Dooku — also known as Darth Tyranus of the Sith Lords
• Mara Jade
• Galen Marek — also known as Starkiller
• Komari Vosa — Dooku's former apprentice who was expelled from the order and became the leader of a cult named the Bando Gora. She was killed by Jango Fett as part of a test implemented by Tyranus in order to find a suitable person with which the Clone Army could be created.
• Jaden Korr — Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

See also

• Dark Jedi entry on Sith page
• The Force Unleashed
• Jedi

External links

• Dark Jedi on Wookieepedia: a Star Wars Wiki