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"A Jedi is not proud or boastful, and I trust you will understand I am sincere when I say that it is hard for me to imagine that [a] guard might have spied me in the first place, had I not wished to be seen."
―Master Poof lectures on his abilities to bend the perceptions of others[3]

Yarael Poof was a male Quermian Jedi Master and revered member of the Jedi High Council in the years leading up to the Clone Wars. Rather mischievous in his use of the Force, Master Poof was a consummate practitioner of the Affect Mind ability, thus limiting his need to wield his lightsaber.

Sitting on the High Council for years, Poof sacrificed his life in 27 BBY when he drew in the deadly powers of the Infant of Shaa to protect the citizens of Coruscant. His body rejoined the Force through cremation at the Jedi Temple's pyre.

As a Quermian, Poof's unusually long legs, body, and neck caused him to stand some three feet taller than other humanoid species. In addition to his upper arms, Poof had an additional set of delicate arms which he hid under his cloak.[4] Possessing remarkable dexterity because of the extra set of limbs, Poof's sensitive olfactory glands were located in his hands.[4] He had two brains, one located inside his skull and the other in his chest cavity.[4] Out of the four Quermian Jedi enrolled in the Order at the time of the Invasion of Naboo, Poof was the most senior.

Biography[]

RaidOnTheJediTempleJedi-ActsOfWar2

Master Yarael Poof aids in the defense of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during the Yinchorri Uprising.

Early life[]

Like the majority of the Jedi Order's members of the era, Poof was most likely discovered to be Force-sensitive on his native Quermia at birth by the doctors who delivered him. Sending their findings to the Acquisition Division of the Order on Coruscant, recruiters would have been dispatched to take Poof from his guardians and bring him to the academy in Galactic City. At the Temple, Poof entered into a clan as an Initiate, passing through his classes until he graduated and was selected by a Master to become a Padawan.[5]

Jedi Master[]

After years of study, the young Poof passed the Trials of Knighthood and ascended to the rank of Jedi Knight. Studying the way of the Jedi Consular, Jedi Poof honed his preternatural skills with the Force, perfecting the art of Affect Mind. Eventually after enough study Poof was recognized by the High Council as a Master of the Jedi arts and formally raised in rank. Accepting many missions on behalf of the Order, Master Poof was so well respected by his peers that the High Council asked the Quermian to join its ranks. After a time, Poof was given the honor of becoming one of the Council's five life-time members, given the choice of stepping down at any time or serving on the Council until his death.[6]

As an instructor at the academy on Coruscant, Poof passed down his knowledge on the Force to future generations of Knights. While an advocate for instruction in the use of Affect Mind, Poof cautioned that using this application of the Force could have permanent consequences on those it was used on. One of Poof's lectures was immortalized in the holocron of Master Asli Krimsan.[3] The Quermian Master eventually took note of a skilled Ithorian Initiate named Roron Corobb and chose to take him as his Padawan. Training the boy for many years, Corobb eventually passed the Council's Trials and was knighted.[6]

JediCouncil2-NEGTC

Master Poof, along with fellow Councilors Koth, Tiin, and Billaba.

The threat within[]

"Before you can bring these two planets together to talk you will need to assess the matter carefully. There may be more at stake here than meets the eye."
―Yarael Poof tells Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi to be cautious on their mission[7]

In 39 BBY, the Council received a communication from Vorzyd 4. It was their belief that neighboring planet Vorzyd 5 was behind a series of sabotages. The Council summoned Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and after briefing them, sent them to deal with the matter.

Yinchorri Uprising[]

In 33 BBY, Master Poof was stationed at the Temple when the pan-galactic Yinchorri Uprising broke out in the Yinchorri system. As several of his fellow Councilors departed to quell the conflict, Poof remained behind, watching from the Temple's rooftop landing pad with Masters Yoda and Rancisis as the teams departed. Within the next few days, the Temple was attacked by Yinchorri warriors, who infiltrated the High Council Tower's entrance atrium. Gathering with the other Masters and Knights present in the Temple, Poof aided in defeating the invaders, with all dying in the fight save one soldier who was interrogated by the Grand Master. As the conflict in the Yinchorri system drew to a close, Master Poof joined several dozen Jedi in welcoming the Jedi teams back to the Temple after their long, trying mission.[8]

The discovery of the Chosen One[]

Master Poof remained a member of the Council when Master Qui-Gon Jinn returned from a mission to Naboo where he escaped the Trade Federation blockade with Queen Padmé Amidala and fled to Tatooine to make repairs. On the desert world he was attacked by a tattooed Zabrak Sith assassin who had training with a lightsaber and in the use of the Force. In Jinn's report he stated that he believed the warrior to be a Sith Lord, a survivor of the supposed Sith extinction of 1000 BBY. In addition to this revelation, Jinn presented what he described as a vergence in the Force, a boy named Anakin Skywalker, for testing by the Council. Though the boy was strong in the Force, the Council decided to pass on training the boy and sent him away, refusing to train him. It wasn't until Jinn was killed at the hands of the Sith that the High Council reconsidered their stance and allowed Skywalker into the Order.[9]

Kiffex darkness[]

A short time later, Master Poof was summoned by the Master of the Order, Master Mace Windu, to the Operations Planning Center in the High Council Tower. Along with Windu, Master Saesee Tiin and Jedi Quinlan Vos were present for a holoconference with Sheyf Tinté Vos of the Kiffu Guardians. The Sheyf demanded Jedi Vos be sent to investigate a disturbance on the prison world of Kiffex, as he was a Kiffar of her bloodline. While Tiin feared that Vos would stray farther towards the dark side of the Force, Master Poof was concerned with the strained relations between the Order and the Guardians and wished to establish better ties with the group. Weighing both Masters' opinions, Master Windu voted to send Vos to confront the darkness growing on the world.[10]

Final mission[]

TheDeathofYaraelPoof

Master Poof is stabbed by Ashaar Khorda.

In 27 BBY, Poof's finest hour came after a chain of events that started with a crisis meeting of the High Council. Master Windu briefed the gathered Councilors on a threat which had emerged and needed immediate action. A radical Annoo-dat General named Ashaar Khorda was planning to strike at one of the Republic's key worlds—Alderaan, Corellia or Coruscant. Most terrifying of all, the Council learned that Khorda had obtained an ancient artifact from the planet Seylott that was so powerful it could destroy an entire planet. A member of the High Council would be needed to watch over each of the planets.[2]

With Master Oppo Rancisis volunteering to go to Corellia and Eeth Koth to Alderaan, Master Windu declared he would safeguard Coruscant. However, Master Poof suggested he be given the task of protecting the galactic capital as he would be better attuned to pinpointing the disturbance created by the Infant of Shaa, the statue Khorda planned on using as his weapon of mass destruction. With the full Council agreeing to Poof's proposal, the Quermian wasted no time in departing on foot from the Temple and descending into the bowels of the city-planet. Reaching out for the artifact's Force-signature, Poof stumbled upon a young boy being harassed by a gang of hoodlums. Such was the Quermian's sense of compassion that he made time to help the boy and created an apparition of a fearsome rancor to scare off the gang.[2]

Poof death

Master Poof dies after disabling the Infant of Shaa.

Before long, Poof found himself within Coruscant's central power generator. Before him was Khorda, clutching a carved object that Poof sensed was the source of the disturbance in the Force. Realizing how close the object was to releasing its devastating power, Poof stepped forward and demanded that Khorda and his followers surrender. At the same time two bounty hunters, Zam Wesell and Jango Fett entered the chamber and demanded the statue be turned over to them. Forming an uneasy alliance with the two bounty hunters, Poof and his new found allies quickly defeated the band of terrorists with Poof gaining control of the volatile artifact. As Poof considered the statue the wounded Khorda leaped up and plunged a vibroblade through the Quermian's heart. As the bounty hunters killed the terrorist, the mortally wounded Poof withdrew the blade and collapsed in a heap on the platform. Pleading for Wesell to put the ancient artifact in his hands, Poof used the Force to fuse the device's energies back to a neutral state, rendering it inert. This great exertion of the Force was too much for the Jedi's body; the renowned being died saving trillions of Coruscanti.[2]

Legacy[]

"Master Poof sacrificed himself not only to preserve billions of lives, but so the Republic itself would live on. I can think of no more fitting tribute than this: He gave his life for a cause he believed in."
Mace Windu eulogizes Master Poof[2]
Yarael lightsaber

Yarael Poof's lightsaber.

With the device deactivated and returned to its proper place on Seylott, Master Poof's body was returned to the Jedi Temple where he received his final rites. A small funeral was held within the Temple's pyre room and was attended by the High Council and several other Jedi. Knights Loo Raelo, Kindee Ya, and Vinian Ska also presided over the cremation of their fellow Quermian.[2]

Following Poof's death the remaining members of the High Council were charged with replacing the life-time member of the august body. Because of the increasing tensions between the Galactic Senate and the growing Separatist movement, the Council decided to replace Poof with the Vurk Master, Coleman Trebor, a skilled orator and the appointed voice of the High Council.[6]

Personality and traits[]

"My mental abilities are reasonably well honed. They could be advantageous in such an endeavor."
―Yarael Poof offers his skills to the High Council's mission[2]
Yarael poofEGTTF

Master Yarael Poof.

Like the Jedi ideal would dictate, Yarael Poof was a compassionate individual, never putting an assignment from the Council above helping out an innocent fellow being. A peaceful man, Poof had a mischievous nature and often enjoyed playing tricks on people with his talent for Affect Mind. This playfulness was not a sign of carelessness; Poof often warned students that altering someone's perception could prove dangerous, sometimes even fatal, and should only be attempted by a competent individual who was in control of their powers.[3]

While a talented swordsman, Poof preferred to negotiate peace rather than wield his lightsaber. When first designing his weapon, Poof selected a yellow crystal to power his blade; however he eventually switched to using a sapphire crystal instead. A devoted Jedi and a believer in the Galactic Republic's propensity for goodness, Poof laid down his life to ensure both would continue on, protecting citizens not only on Coruscant, but across the galaxy.[2]

Powers and abilities[]

"What would I have done in such a situation, you ask? […] I might have made him believe I was nothing but a gust of wind, or the shadow of a soaring indigenous avian. A Jedi can do such things, for it is the will of the Force."
―Yarael Poof lectures on the use of Affect Mind and what he would have done should an armed guard see him while attempting to infiltrate a building[3]

Yarael Poof was a gifted illusionist, using the Force to project images into the minds of others. Using this talent, he could draw on the fears of others to frighten them, create a dopplegänger of himself to fool an opponent, or make himself appear invincible, a trick that could fool other Jedi. Among his other Force talents, Master Poof was famed for his telekinetic ability to trigger fires by manipulating the molecules of combustible objects and his rare talent for battle meditation.[3] Among other abilities, Poof was an accomplished Telepath, and was able to read minds as well as shift thoughts from one mind to another.[11] Poof was also extremely powerful with Telekinesis.[5]

An extremely talented duelist, Poof was well-versed in the basics of each form, but was a master of Forms 2, 4, and 6, Makashi, Ataru, and Niman.[8] Poof was a swordsman of legendary proportion, ranking as one of the most skilled fighters in the Jedi Order.[3]

As a Quermian, Poof did not have a spinal column; thus, he could contort his body in ways few other species could match. Coupled with his extra set of arms that could move independently of each other, Master Poof was extremely dexterous.[12]

Behind the scenes[]

Notable appearances[]

YaraelPoofConcept

Early concept art of Yarael Poof, which was labeled simply "Alien Jedi"

Yarael Poof was first pictured in the teaser trailer for the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, the first installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.[13] The trailer debuted in theaters across twenty-six cities on November 17, 1998,[14] with a widespread release on November 20 the same year.[13] His first appearance was in The Phantom Menace upon its release. He was portrayed by a puppet operated by Michelle Taylor. Although his name was never spoken in The Phantom Menace, it was given in the film's credits.[9]

Poof was originally slated to reappear in the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, but George Lucas was concerned that viewers would confuse him with the Kaminoans, a new species introduced in the film. As no new footage of the Jedi Council chambers was shot for Episode II, archive footage from Episode I was reused. In order to remove him from the film, Poof was digitally painted out of the footage and replaced by Coleman Trebor, a new Jedi Master designed for the movie.[15]

Non-canon history[]

Robot Chicken[]

Council underdog[]
"Who can't use the Force now? I can still use the Force. Let's put that one to a vote, because I don't even know what that means. Does anyone realize that I'm talking?"
―Yarael Poof[16]

Yarael Poof appears in multiple skits in the 2010 comedy special Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III, voiced by Dan Milano. In the first sketch, which takes place during the events of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Poof is seated alongside the Jedi High Council as they discuss the matter of training Anakin Skywalker. Yoda initially states that Anakin should not be trained due to the darkness inside of him, only for Mace Windu to point out that he could bring balance to the Force and for Yoda to agree. Poof interjects, reminding Yoda that he had just claimed training Anakin would be a bad thing. When Yoda mentions the prophecy of the Chosen One, Poof questions what exactly the prophecy is and why he is unaware of it. Windu ignores him, stating that he will inform Skywalker of the Council's decision the following day. The Quermian Jedi Master once again interjects, sarcastically remarking that they are apparently now a council rather than solely Yoda and Windu and asking a member he referred to as "Dogface" if they are also aware of this "revelation."[16]

Once again, Yoda and Windu ignore Poof, declaring they need to inform the Senate of their lessened ability to use the Force. Poof responds by stating that he can still use the Force and that they should put the claim to a vote, then ponders if his remarks are actually being listened to. After a brief pause, Windu announces that the Council should stop for the day to eat. Yoda then suggests that Poof pick up pizza, to which the entire council—excluding Poof himself—agree. Poof complains that he had just picked up their coffee the day prior and has yet to be reimbursed despite submitting the receipt, but then sarcastically states that he would still pick up their food if it was the will of the Council. He then informs Yaddle that he needs to borrow her car, prompting her to lie that it was in the shop. Poof states he had just seen it downstairs in the Jedi Temple, to which she responded with a new excuse of "insurance." Poof exasperatedly then declares he is going anyway, remarking that despite being one of twelve Jedi in the entire galaxy on the Jedi High Council, today it was his job to retrieve the pizza. He then sarcastically remarks that his parents are very proud.[16]

Order 66[]
"They didn't have calamari pizza because Mon Calamari are people, and I did not know that."
―Yarael Poof[16]

The second sketch takes place during the events of the[16] 2005[17] film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith[16]—and thus anachronistically due to Poof's death prior to the Clone Wars[18]—and narratively follows the first sketch. Poof returns to the High Council's chamber during Order 66 carrying a stack of pizza boxes, announcing that he could not get calamari pizza due to the Mon Calamari's status as a people, something he was unaware of. After stating this, Poof realizes the Council chamber is in ruins and that everyone on the Council may be dead. Declaring his time is short, he sets the pizza boxes down and runs to a seat in the chamber. Once seated, he begins mocking Yoda, making fun of his manner of speech and complaining once again that he never allowed the other Council members to talk. Shortly afterwards, an explosion occurs outside the temple, prompting Poof to panic and leave—though he collects the pizza boxes again as he does so.[16]

Imperial chef[]
"Everyone I know is dead."
―Yarael Poof[16]

The third sketch depicts Poof[16]—once again anachronistically[18]—during the Imperial Period. Poof is working, disguised with a fake mustache, as a chef under the Galactic Empire. While working, he is approached by Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, the former of who requests bisque for his meal. Poof panics and drops his ladle, prompting Palpatine to request cream of spinach, albeit with a different ladle. Poof nervously hands the two Sith Lords their meals and they walk away. Shortly thereafter, Palpatine senses a "disturbance" in the Force, and the pair return to Poof, who is still panicking. Palpatine then states the Quermian had forgotten to give them crackers, which he then provides. After the Sith Lords walk away once again, Poof distressingly comments that everyone he knows is dead.[16]

The Padawan Menace[]

Poof anachronistically[18] appears in the 2011 LEGO television special LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace. During the Clone Wars, Grand Master Yoda and the Padawan-impersonator "Ian" chase a B1-Series battle droid carrying plans for a Separatist attack on Coruscant to the planet Hoth. When there, Yoda contacts the Jedi High Council, including Yarael Poof, informing them of his progress. Ian then interrupts the holo-transmission, changing its "channel" to various shows including Ackbar Tonight, Keeping up with the Calrissians, infomercials, and a singing competition. All the while, Poof observes and is startled by the sudden changes. Later, when Ian and the other Padawans are rewarded for their bravery on Coruscant, Poof is in the crowd celebrating.[19]

Jedi Academy[]

"Having said that, please consult your student datapads for some new campus policy updates, particularly the section on the explicit prohibition against keeping wild animals in the dormitories. This also applies to very cute ones."
―Yarael Poof[20]

In the 2020 young-reader novel Jedi Academy: At Last, Jedi written by Amy Ignatow, Yarael Poof is the author behind a letter welcoming Jedi Initiates and Masters back to the Jedha Campus Jedi academy. In the letter, he describes his pleasure in seeing everyone's faces—as well as cranial ridges and tentacles—once more and expresses that he can feel the Force flowing on the campus once again with the returning personnel. Afterwards, he warns readers that despite the joy, there are also challenges on the path to becoming a Jedi. In the second paragraph of the letter, Poof informs students to consult their datapads for updates regarding campus policy. He singles out a policy that prohibits keeping wild animals in the dormitories and elaborates that the policy extends to those viewed as "cute" as well. Finally, he closes the letter by thanking them and bidding them farewell with the phrase "may the Force be with you." Below the text of Poof's letter is his signature as well as an image of him.[20]

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Databank title Poof, Yarael in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Star Wars: Zam Wesell
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Star Wars Character Encyclopedia
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force Details the standard life of the majority of Jedi Initiates of the era.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
  7. Jedi Apprentice: The Threat Within
  8. 8.0 8.1 Jedi Council: Acts of War
  9. 9.0 9.1 Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
  10. Star Wars: Republic: Darkness
  11. HomingBeaconTitleSmall Homing Beacon #67 - Coleman Talks Coleman on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  12. The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
  13. 13.0 13.1 StarWars Episode I Teaser Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
  14. Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual History, New Edition
  15. HomingBeaconTitleSmall Homing Beacon #67 - Coleman Talks Coleman on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8 16.9 Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III
  17. Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Yarael Poof's death is depicted in Star Wars: Zam Wesell, which Star Wars: The Comics Companion dates to 27 BBY. Meanwhile, The New Essential Chronology dates the events of the Clone Wars to 22 BBY to 19 BBY, and the Imperial Period to 19 BBY onwards. As such, any depiction of Yarael Poof during these eras is anachronistic in nature.
  19. LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace
  20. 20.0 20.1 Jedi Academy: At Last, Jedi
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