Jedi Praxeum

"Not the last of the old Jedi, Luke. The first of the new."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi's ghost to Luke Skywalker

The ancient Jedi scholar Karena coined the term praxeum to describe a Jedi academy as a place for the "distillation of learning combined with action." In the days of the Galactic Republic, well-known praxeums included those on Teya IV, Arkania, Ossus and Dantooine.

The only Jedi Praxeum during the time of the New Republic, on Yavin 4, was founded by Luke Skywalker in 11 ABY to train new Jedi.

Inspired by the parting words of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the several Force-sensitive individuals he had encountered, Skywalker began planning for a unique institution where new and old Jedi could learn together.

The first students


Once the project was sanctioned by Chief of State Mon Mothma, Skywalker decided to set it up in the Massassi temples of Yavin 4. He originally recruited twelve students: Tionne, Dorsk 81, Kirana Ti, Kam Solusar, Brakiss, Streen, Gantoris, Corran Horn (under the alias of Kieran Halcyon), Madurrin, Kyle Katarn (who soon left due to his concerns about the dark side of the Force), and two other cadets (possibly Havet Storm, Keyan Farlander or Harlan). They were joined shortly after by Kyp Durron, Mara Jade, Cilghal and Dal Konur.

Prodigal sons


A Chistori student Desann proved very talented, but struck down his training partner Havet Storm in a fit of rage. He fled the academy, only to return later as a Dark Jedi determined to destroy the academy with a huge invasion force of the Empire Reborn.

Horn left the academy early on, frustrated with Skywalker's training methods, and eager to find his wife Mirax who had been kidnapped. Horn doubted that he could use his Force abilities for anything and chose instead to rely on his detective skills that he learned during his years with CorSec. He realized that it was possible to combine his detective and Jedi skills. After he rescued his wife, he would eventually return to the academy.



Mara Jade was initially only loosely attached to the academy. She would stay there for some time and train with the other students and teach them what she knew. She did not feel ready to commit herself fully to the way of the Jedi yet, as she still had many unresolved issues. Eventually, she became more and more attached to the academy (and to Luke Skywalker whom she would eventually marry).

Like Horn, Katarn, who had trained informally with Jade prior to the establishment of the Praxeum, returned to the academy to assist the Jedi in defeating Galak Fyyar and Desann's invasion force of stormtroopers, swamptroopers, Reborn warriors and shadowtroopers. After defeating Desann in a lightsaber duel deep inside the Massassi temple, Katarn decided to stay at the Praxeum.

It is worth noting that all three were to become central figures in Skywalker's Jedi Order. By the start of the Crisis of the Disciples of Ragnos Katarn and Horn had apprentices under their tutelage. Katarn had obtained the rank of Jedi Master at that time. Jade and then Horn would later advance to the rank of Jedi Master.

Later students
"Aren't you excited? We're going to be Jedi! Learning the ways of the Force, building a lightsaber..."

- Rosh Penin to Jaden Korr

Later on, students such as, Cray Mingla, Nichos Marr, Ganner Rhysode, Wurth Skidder, Octa Ramis, Miko Reglia, Raynar Thul, Lusa, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca, Zekk, Tahiri Veila, Tekli, Eryl Besa, Ulaha Kore, Jovan Drark, Danni Quee, Zak Arranda, Tash Arranda, Jaden Korr, Rosh Penin and Raltharan attended. Anakin Solo, Jacen Solo, and Jaina Solo also attended the Praxeum to develop their abilities.

Penin turned to the dark side during the crisis of the Disciples of Ragnos but was redeemed by Korr and Katarn. Most of the students at the academy participated in the epic battle on Korriban where the Disciples of Ragnos were defeated once and for all.

In 14 ABY, it was common that multiple students were assigned to only one Master, like in the case of Kyle Katarn and his apprentices Jaden Korr and Rosh Penin.

Life at the academy


Most of the Jedi in Luke's New Jedi Order were trained at the Academy and learned somewhat directly from him, although most were trained by the battlemaster of the academy, Kyle Katarn. The Jedi Praxeum, wherever it was, tended to be a base of operations for the Jedi, and often a home when they were not performing other jobs for Master Skywalker or going about their personal lives.

Luke was known to leave the Academy in times of crisis to help the New Republic, leaving it in the capable hands of Streen, or Kam and Tionne Solusar.

When the Yuuzhan Vong attacked Yavin 4 and destroyed the Massassi Temple in 26 ABY, Talon Karrde and Booster Terrik helped the few Jedi Knights and the many Padawans escape their clutches, making the Errant Venture and then the Shelter on the Maw the new home of the Jedi Academy. After the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War, the Praxeum was reestablished on Ossus.

Appearances

 * Jedi Search
 * I, Jedi
 * Dark Apprentice
 * Champions of the Force
 * Children of the Jedi
 * Darksaber
 * Jedi Academy: Leviathan
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * The Crystal Star
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
 * Union
 * Young Jedi Knights series
 * Junior Jedi Knights series
 * Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse
 * Edge of Victory I: Conquest