The Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson is the new beginning of the Jedi Order. At the time of writing, the Jedi philosophy of the prequels the specifics of Jedi training were unknown, including the rules of no attachments (families), one master to one apprentice and that usually they began as infants.
Even if it had been known, sheer practicality suggested having only one Jedi left was a crisis waiting to happen. If anything happened to Luke Skywalker, there would be no one left to pass on the Jedi teachings. Therefore the rule of one master and one apprentice could not be kept. No attachments would rule out Luke himself, still very much in touch with his sister, Leia. And obviously he was in no position and had no time to wait for a child to reach knighthood. Leia’s children were obvious candidates, but no one could wait the decades it would take to train them for the Order to grow stronger.
People Introduced
The Jedi introduced:
- Tionne
- Kirana Ti
- Streen
- Dorsk 81
- Gantoris
- Kyp Durron
- Cilghal
and others that (at the time) remained unnamed. Later, Corran Horn of the X-Wing Series was named and his story told from his own point of view in I, Jedi, by Michael Stackpole. Brakiss was named in The New Rebellion, and also mentioned again in I,Jedi.
Mentioned from other stories: Kam Solusar (Dark Empire 2) and Mara Jade (Thrawn trilogy) attend the academy.
Tionne goes on to be the historian and teacher, on in the Young Jedi Knight, Junior Jedi Knights, New Jedi Order and into Legacy of the Force years. She is mentioned but not seen in the game Jedi Academy.
Dorsk 81 was of a species that procreates only through cloning. His kin, Dorsk 82 would also come to the Academy in Jedi Academy: Leviathan.
Kyp Durron would go on to fame (and infamy), starring in Darksaber, in short stories in the Anthologies as well as action in the Jedi Academy mini series by Dark Horse comics and to fight the Yuuzhan Vong in the New Jedi Order.
Cilghal goes on to be an ambassador in Young Jedi Knights as well as becoming one of the rare Jedi Healers. She is mentioned as well in New Jedi Order, Legacy of the Force, Fate of the Jedi and is seen in the Union comic story arc.
Kirana Ti and Streen shows up again in Dark Saber and Jedi Academy: Leviathan in Dark Horse Comics
All off them also appear in I,Jedi, since it interweaves its storyline. It adds Corran Horn using the alias Kieren Halcyon.
Once begun the Academy of Yavin 4 continues rolling out graduates until the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.
Other Introductions:
Admiral Natasi Daala was in charge of several Star Destroyers and the Maw installation think tank. Left in charge by Moff Tarkin, she had been out of touch since before his death. Daala is mentioned in ‘Death Star’ as well as playing a role in Darksaber, Planet of Twilight, Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi.
Qwi Xux was a scientist who brings in the Omwati culture and people. She reappears in Darksaber and Starfighters of Adumar and is mentioned again in the New Jedi Order.
Moruth Doole and Skynxnex are both criminals who appear in the later published but earlier chronologically ‘X-Wing’ novels.
Exar Kun from Tales of the Jedi appears as a Force Spirit as does Jedi Odan Urr.
Places Introduced.
The planet and naval academy at Carida are first mentioned here. Carida would go on to be mentioned as the place both Han Solo (Ann Crispin’s Han Solo trilogy among others) and Kyle Katarn (Dark Forces novellas) attended the Imperial Academy.
The Maw Installation would go on to hide the Jedi Academy during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.
Kessel, while mentioned in other stories, is visited for the first time seriously here. A follow up visit occurs in the X-Wing series (later published but earlier in the timeline). It will go on to play a role in Young Jedi Knights and Fate of the Jedi.
Yavin 4 Jedi Academy, while the moon & base itself were visited in A New Hope, it will now play a major role as the academy, including being attacked (Dark Saber by Kevin J. Anderson, Young Jedi Knights by Anderson and Moesta, and Jedi Outcast video game) as well as being the place where training begins for Jaden Korr (Jedi Academy video game.)
Dantooine, again had been mentioned in A New Hope, but this was our first serious visit. Dantooine would eventually be revealed as a place that once housed a Jedi Enclave (Knights of the Old Republic game and comic), a rebel base, and years later would be a temporary hideout from the Yuuzhan Vong. It also appears in the Star Wars Galaxies video game.
Major Events:
Leia Organa Solo becomes full time ‘Mom’ when her children leave hiding, on top of becoming full time Chief of State, a title she will hold right up until a Leave of Absence as of the Thrawn Duology. She is still Chief of State while her children attend the Academy.
Lando comes into possession of Kessel. This will be fortuitous in the future.
A new Jedi Academy is formed, and it’s new Jedi are immediately put to the test.
This strong foundation is also key in Jedi Academy (the Dark Forces sequel) video game. Many of the characters are mentioned. You train as a Jedi under Kyle Katarn here at this location. In the future, this academy will be geared to younger generations, including Leia’s children.
