The orders of the Sith and the Jedi are well known throughout the galaxy, but the Force has never been constrained or obligated to such temporal constructs. In fact, many powerful Force Users of every persuasion have found their way outside of the Sith or the Jedi Orders. These are known broadly within the Brotherhood as members of the Order of the Force Disciples.

In short, Force Disciples are Force-sensitive beings who decide not to align either with the Sith or the Jedi Order. As such, they are not constrained to walk the path of the Light as the Jedi, nor the path of the Dark Side as the Sith, but they may choose any path, including the Gray.

Though the nuances that separate the philosophies of Force Disciples along the same path may be difficult to distinguish at first, they are vital to understanding the nature of the Force Disciples. In this course, we’ll look at some examples throughout history, as well as the role they play within the Brotherhood itself.

Force Disciples Throughout History

The Dark Path

While both the Inquisitors and the Knights of Ren served Sith masters in some capacity, they were not Sith themselves, yet they were Force-sensitive individuals who could draw upon the power of the Dark Side to great effect.

Inquisitors were servants and agents of the Sith. They were dedicated to the Dark Side of the Force and wielded its power to hunt down the Jedi remaining after the Great Jedi Purge. Their mission was to corrupt or kill any surviving Jedi and to keep Force-sensitive children from being trained as Jedi or molded into enemies of the Empire. Like their Sith masters, they often fell to infighting and treachery to prove the best among them.

The Knights of Ren were a new generation of Force users, neither Jedi nor Sith, that followed the teachings of a Dark Side devotee who called himself, and the red-bladed lightsaber that epitomized his philosophy, Ren. Becoming a Knight of Ren required both Force-sensitivity and a great, personal sacrifice. They adhered to a code that suggested they, like the lightsaber, must put aside concepts like morality, regret or concern for those in the path of destruction.

Less is known about the individuals and organizations who practiced the Dark Side beyond the shadow of the Sith, though history holds clues. While a young padawan of Count Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn learned the story of a daughter of the Duchess of Malaster who became a Dark Jedi in ancient times. The Bogan Collection of the Jedi Temple Archives was also said to have contained artifacts relating to the Sorcerers of Tund, a sect of Dark Side practitioners.

Unique among Dark Side practitioners but perhaps the most well known outside of the Sith, the Nightsisters of Dathomir used dark magick to channel the Dark Side of the Force. As one of the Nightsisters, Asajj Ventress claimed they were even taught how to find the balance necessary to use the power of the Dark Side and remain themselves at the same time, escaping the corruption experienced by the Sith.

The Light Path

Force Disciples who choose not to align themselves with the Jedi Order may still walk the Light Path and rely only on the Light Side of the Force. In most such cases, they either have decided to distance themselves from the Jedi Order or they have been expelled from it. It is common for Force Users to find that they do not accept the dogmatic and rigid philosophy of the Jedi. An example of such a person may be Ahsoka Tano after she was expelled from the Jedi Order based on a false accusation. She continued to remain loyal to the Light Side of the Force, but she no longer wanted to have any dealings with the Jedi Order.

The Gray Path

Force Disciples who have chosen to walk the Gray Path do not limit themselves to one side of the Force or the other. Some simply will not give themselves fully to either side of the Force, while others intentionally try to achieve balance within the Force.

Though we have not seen truly “gray” Force Users in Star Wars canon material who utilized both sides of the Force, the Dagoyan Order was unique in its quest for balance. The Dagoyan Masters were Force Users who sought to avoid using either the Light or the Dark, believing instead that they could cultivate balance through a passive connection with the Force.

Despite a lack of canon examples, Dark Brotherhood members can and have chosen this path for their characters, and you are certainly encouraged to reach out to them for inspiration!

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Force Disciples in the Brotherhood

Within the ranks of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood have always been those who did not fully adhere to the Sith Code, despite a foundation steeped in Sith tradition. There were those who experimented with the powers of the Light Side and others who simply did not share the Sith philosophies or desire for power and annihilation of the Jedi, preferring order and stability instead. Even among the ranks of Clan Odan-Urr, some Force Users who followed the Light chose to distance themselves from the Jedi Order.

Where once only the Sith and their related traditions found wide acknowledgement and places of influence, today these Force Disciples have found both in every corner of the Brotherhood.

Force User Traditions

The Brotherhood has undergone many changes. Throughout the years, it adopted various philosophies that were reflected by Orders. As the Brotherhood evolved, its Orders also changed; some have been abandoned or viewed as no longer suitable and their ranks culled. However, there are many members of the Brotherhood who still respect and quietly follow their traditions.

As Force Disciples may follow any path, they may also devote themselves to any tradition, provided it aligns with their chosen path, but they may not make that choice until they have reached the ranks of the Equites.

The option to select or change your tradition is found in the Characters menu of your Administration page once you have reached the rank of EQ1.

Dark or Gray Path Traditions

• Obelisk
  The Obelisk were highly skilled warriors. They honed their fighting abilities and augmented their physical prowess with the use of the Force to significantly increase their natural talents. Their combat-oriented philosophy and skills make the followers of the Obelisk tradition a dangerous enemy that should be feared for what they can achieve on a battlefield.

• Krath
  Always hungry for knowledge, the Krath sought for every useful bit of information they might utilize in their secret games for power and influence. They saw knowledge as a key to victory and obtaining greater power. Experts at manipulation, the Krath usually worked behind the curtain, but some were also known to be powerful sorcerers capable of tapping into more obscure, mystical elements of the Dark Side. Their secretive nature often meant they were perceived by others as mysterious, traitorous and dangerous – a perception, of course, well-grounded in truth.

Light or Gray Path Traditions

Though many of the traditions followed by those who walk the path of the Light were founded by Jedi, Force Disciples who have distanced themselves from the Order may still adhere to these traditions and operate in much the same way.

• Sentinel
  Little is known about the Sentinels, for their work was shrouded by mists of secrecy. Though created from the Jedi Order, they often walked a fine line between the Light and the Dark. While other Jedi took the glory for keeping peace in the Galaxy, the Sentinels worked in the shadows to eliminate threats to the galaxy. The followers of this tradition are particularly dangerous, for one rarely knows where and when they will strike.

• Guardian
  The Jedi were known and respected as protectors of peace and the innocent for millenia. They could not be successful in their quest without noble and skilled warriors. The Guardians were masters of lightsaber combat and excellent pilots. They were extremely dedicated to maintaining peace and protecting the innocent. This made them capable of achieving outstanding feats, both as soldiers and pilots. Those who follow this tradition are respected for their combat prowess and dedication to protect those in need.

• Consular
  Philosophers, diplomats, healers. The Consulars fought for peace in a different way – by shaping peace treaties and preventing wars and conflicts. They were also skilled healers, who treated the wounded, and wise advisors, often offering their advice to commanders and politicians. The followers of this tradition are renowned for their wisdom and sharp mind.

Other Traditions

While not strictly Force User traditions, Force Disciples may also choose to align themselves with Imperial or Mandalorian traditions.

Force User Disciplines

Force Disciples may specialize in any of the eight disciplines available to Force Users:

• Shadows
  
• Seekers
  
• Juggernauts
  
• Marauders
  
• Sorcerers
  
• Arcanists
  
• Techweavers
  
• Defenders

Disciplines are selected on your character sheet. If you’ve not yet created one, take the Character Sheets 101 course to learn how!

Ranks of the Force Disciples

Though Force Disciples have no common philosophy or organization, they follow a unique set of ranks that distinguish them from the Jedi and the Sith, as follows: