Jaro Tapal

"He was a true guardian of the Republic.''" "''He was a hero."

- Cere Junda and Cal Kestis, remembering Jaro Tapal

Jaro Tapal was a Lasat male Jedi Master who served the Galactic Republic as the Jedi General of the 13th Battalion in the Clone Wars, until he was betrayed and killed by his own men during the execution of Order 66 in 19 BBY. Tapal used all of his training and abilities to protect his apprentice Cal Kestis during Order 66. After Kestis lost his lightsaber while being attacked by clone troopers, Jaro gave his lightsaber to Kestis upon his death. Kestis went on to keep this lightsaber throughout his training until its destruction in 14 BBY. During Kestis's mission to Dathomir, Tapal appeared to his apprentice in a Force vision inside the Tomb of Kujet, teaching him a final lesson.

Biography
"This&hellip;war is not over, my Padawan."

- Jaro Tapal, to Cal Kestis

During the Clone Wars, Tapal and his Padawan Cal Kestis led the 13th Battalion in the Bracca campaign. The pair of Jedi spent most of their time during the war living onboard a Star Destroyer. Tapal frequently utilized a training room to teach his apprentice in the ways of the Force. After one training lesson, Kestis met with Tapal, in which Tapal told Kestis that their campaign over Bracca was finished and they would soon be leaving to Mygeeto. However, their conversation was cut short when Tapal's clone commander received Order 66 from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and prepared to execute the Jedi General. Tapal, having felt the disturbance in the Force, killed the commander and told Kestis to use an escape pod and go to Bracca. Tapal then distracted his clone unit while Kestis made his way towards the escape pods. They reconvened but were quickly overwhelmed by clones. Tapal, in his final moments, defended Kestis as they boarded an escape pod. Tapal then gave Kestis his lightsaber before dying, letting Kestis know that the war was not over.

Behind the scenes
Jaro Tapal was introduced in the 2019 video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. He is played by Travis Willingham.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order