Gray Jedi

"Jinn always does things his own way, always sure he is right, always incredulous if we do not see it his way. Some think he is a gray Jedi."

- Tyvokka on Qui-Gon Jinn

Gray Jedi was a term, sometimes used pejoratively, that described Jedi who were thought to operate independently and often outside the strictures of the High Council.

The term itself dated back as far as the Old Sith Wars. During this time period, Gray Jedi themselves became associated with a certain variety of robe. In the following millennia, the term continued to increase in usage, most likely due to the increasing trend towards centralization of power in the Order, and the increased prominence of the Jedi Council itself.

By 130 ABY, the term Gray Jedi was expanded in use to refer to Force-sensitive individuals and groups that, while not following the dark side, were not part of the New Jedi Order and/or served other institutions above the will of the Force.

Relationship with the Council
"If you would just follow the code, you would be on the Council. They will not go along with you this time.''" "''You still have much to learn, my young apprentice."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn

In the aftermath of the Great Sith War, the Jedi leadership sought to re-evaluate the Jedi Code. The more conservative interpretation left many within the Order feeling disenfranchised, as they felt the last twenty millennia of history were a sufficient precedent for how a Jedi should act. The centralization and restriction imposed by the new Code left these dissidents suspicious, sensing the advantage the dark side would have against such moral absolutism. History would indeed bear them out.

Most Gray Jedi had a tense relationship with the Council; while, for most intents and purposes, they were loyal members of the Jedi Order, their maverick natures often put them into conflict with it, especially against more conservative members of the Council. They clashed over the acceptable age limit that a sentient could begin training, and the forbidding of "attachments" such as families.

It is this friction, combined with their unorthodox behavior, that made it rare for a Gray Jedi to join the Council themselves or ascend to any position of real leadership in the order. After all, the High Council chose its own members, and most of the time, their preference was for orthodox Jedi, such as the group described as the Old Guard. Qui-Gon Jinn's candidacy was rejected in favor of Plo Koon, and then Ki-Adi-Mundi, both of whom were more in line with the Council's way of thinking.

Traits
"Well, I assure you, I see more grey than dark or light. I'm just a stubborn old man, tired of the foolishness of others."

- Jolee Bindo to Revan in the Shadowlands of Kashyyyk

Although the term gray is often thought to refer to Force users believed to skirt the line between the light side and dark side, Gray Jedi were not exclusively followers of such a creed. In fact, their devotion to the Living Force was born of a desire to avoid falling to the dark via arcane strictures of the kind supported by the post-Sith War Council.

Indeed Qui-Gon Jinn himself, one of the most famous of the so-named Gray Jedi, was a staunch adherent of the Living Force, and as much aware of the dark side's lure as any of his peers. He may have been unorthodox, both in his behavior and relationship with the Council, but there was never any doubt of Qui-Gon's adherence to the core of the Jedi philosophy or his dedication to the light.

In the days of the Old Republic, some Gray Jedi were known to have worn unique, gray robes, as if to declare themselves a distinct faction within the Jedi Order. It is possible that Jolee Bindo once wore a unique version of these robes.

Known Gray Jedi

 * Qui-Gon Jinn&mdash;frequently clashed with the High Council, was a follower of the Living Force, and wanted Anakin Skywalker trained despite the will of the council.
 * Jolee Bindo&mdash;married a fellow Jedi against the Order's Code; later placed in self-exile on Kashyyyk.
 * Djinn Altis&mdash;led a faction of Jedi who did not follow the will of the High Council, though they aided the council in service to the Republic during the Clone Wars.
 * Callista Ming
 * Geith Eris
 * Ash Jarvee
 * Nejaa Halcyon&mdash;married against the Order's Code, which all Corellian Jedi were expected to follow despite their unique traditions.
 * Aqinos&mdash;trained a number of inorganic, force-sensitive crystals in the ways of the force and was excommunicated for his actions. The crystal-beings became known as the Iron Knights.
 * Firkrann
 * Ilum
 * Luxum
 * Eelysa&mdash;trained barabel force sensitives as Jedi against the wishes of Grand Master Skywalker, though they were accepted into the New Jedi Order after her death.
 * Imperial Knights&mdash;were considered by the New Jedi Order to be Gray Jedi.
 * Sigel Dare
 * Antares Draco
 * Marasiah Fel
 * Mohrgan Fel
 * Roan Fel
 * Ganner Krieg
 * Elke Vetter
 * Treis Sinde
 * Azlyn Rae
 * "Independent" Jedi&mdash;were unorthodox Jedi who wandered the galaxy, separate from the High Council. They could be considered Gray Jedi, though the reasons for their separation from the council may vary.
 * An'ya Kuro
 * Jon Antilles
 * Fay
 * Knol Ven'nari
 * Nico Diath
 * Zao
 * Plett

Behind the scenes
The term Gray Jedi is often erroneously used to refer to Force users who believe there is no dark side but, as explained in this article, this is not the case. Rather, these Force users are said to follow alternative teachings, such as the Potentium theory, in canon sources.

Some Sith are also erroneously labeled as Gray Jedi despite their adherance to the dark side. This is a misunderstanding of the term, as Gray Jedi&mdash;by definition&mdash;cannot be dark siders. Examples of Sith that are sometimes mislabeled as Gray Jedi are Kreia, Vergere, Darth Vectivus, and Darth Caedus. These Sith may be mistaken as Gray Jedi because they consider themselves not to be evil or to be "less evil" than other Sith.

Some Expanded Universe Jedi created before the release of the prequel trilogy have been retconned as "Gray Jedi" to explain why they do not follow the code and training methods of the Jedi Order. For example, this type of retcon was used by Karen Traviss to explain why Callista Ming was permitted to form a romantic relationship with fellow Jedi Knight Geith Eris.

In the KotOR II videogame, an item named "Gray Jedi Robe" has the following description: "Gray Jedi are those who, though having completed the teachings of the Jedi, operate independently and outside of the Jedi Council. They are typically seen as misguided, though they have not necessarily succumbed to the dark side."

- Gray Jedi Robe item description

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars Republic: The Stark Hyperspace War

Notes and references
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