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Dark Jedi is the name given in the Star Wars universe to fictional characters attuned to the Force and adept in its dark side. They exist by that name only in the Expanded Universe and the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic; the term is never used in any of the six Star Wars films.

Contents 1 Qualifications 2 Common usage 3 Palpatine's Dark Side Elite 4 Grey Jedi 5 Notable Dark Jedi 6 See also 7 External links

Dark Jedi is a label to a specific archetype of characters in the Star Wars Expanded Universe defined as Force-attuned beings that meet two requirements. They do not hold themselves to the dogma of either the Jedi or the Sith, and they use their Force abilities for less than virtuous acts that would normally be looked down upon by the Jedi Order. As it has been mentioned, the concept of Dark Jedi is not endorsed anywhere within the movie trilogy. Dark Jedi in the Expanded Universe typically refer to students of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy who have fallen to the dark side. Dark Jedi are also extremely common in the Jedi Knight series of Star Wars video games, where Kyle Katarn uncovers Imperial plots linked to Dark Jedi. In Jedi Outcast, Katarn faces an entire army of Dark Jedi, cloned and lightly trained force users who follow the main antagonist.

Because the term Sith was never spoken in the original trilogy (although Darth Vader was described as "Lord of the Sith" in the published screenplay), early Expanded Universe products usually considered the "evil Jedi," those who joined the dark side of the Force, as "Dark Jedi." In his novel series The Thrawn Trilogy, author Timothy Zahn labeled Sith Lord Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine as Dark Jedi, and the term "Sith" was never mentioned in the series until later reprints of the novels.

Dark Jedi use the Force for their own ends while attempting to utilize other powers of the Force, owing no allegiance. They rarely display the discipline in their strengths and abilities so valued by both Jedi and Sith; while a Dark Jedi can use Jedi and Sith Force arts, only a true Jedi or Sith can master the nuances. Therefore, a Jedi Master or Sith Lord could usually beat a Dark Jedi with relative ease. True Sith and Jedi must be ordained and approved by their respective masters in order to gain access to the true powers of their respective organizations. Palpatine trained many Force-sensitive beings in the ways of the dark side of the Force, but most were never initiated into the rites and secrets of the Sith. Force-sensitive individuals seem to arise spontaneously and may definitely become adept at the Force without Jedi or Sith involvement. It is true, however, that many notable Dark Jedi have received at least some Jedi training.

Palpatine did not consider himself completely bound by Sith tradition (he had begun training his first apprentice, Darth Maul, prior to the death of his own Master, Darth Plagueis, which was a major violation of Darth Bane's Rule of Two). It was believed by some (including his second apprentice, Darth Tyranus) that he planned to eventually do away with the Rule of Two entirely in order to have legions of Sith at his disposal.^{[citation needed]}

It is also worthy of note that, though a Dark Jedi may believe him- or herself to be acting for a "greater good," the dark side of the Force is a path that proves ultimately self-destructive (as was the case when Ulic Qel-Droma, Revan, and Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side), regardless of the motives or misguided morals of those who walk it. Mara Jade is another primary example of a Dark Jedi who served evil, but still mistakenly believed her actions to be just. Eventually, she turned from the dark side, but still carried the teachings of the Emperor with her, such as her lightsaber techniques. Contrary to the Jedi method of purging emotion and gaining power via meditation and training, Dark Jedi, like Sith, allow their emotions to empower them.

Some of the more notable Dark Jedi (besides the Sith Lords) include Asajj Ventress, Joruus C'Baoth, and Mara Jade.

Following Emperor Palpatine's death at the Battle of Endor and his subsequent resurrection in a clone body six years later, a new organization of Imperial Dark Jedi appeared. A cadre of seven darksiders (who were in actuality little more than an extension of the Emperor's will) did most of Palpatine's bidding during this time. These seven Dark Jedi were known as the Dark Side Elite. Two of their number were killed and replaced during the early events of the reborn Palpatine's Operation Shadow Hand. These ten included Sedriss, Vill Goir, Zasm Katth, Baddon Fass, Krdys Mordi, Kvag Gthull, Tedryn-Sha, Xecr Nist, T'iaz, and Kam Solusar. All were eventually killed or captured, with the exception of Solusar, who was redeemed by Luke Skywalker and became an integral member of the New Jedi Order.

Grey Jedi, although having completed the teachings of either the Jedi Order or the Sith, are Jedi/Sith that had either been exiled or had disassociated themselves from the path of either side. Consequently, they operate independently outside of both. Their former allies typically see them as misguided, though they have not necessarily succumbed to the either side of the Force. They are the mavericks of the universe, and often stray closer to the dark side than most. Jolee Bindo, Count Dooku, Revan, the Jedi Exile, Kreia, Jon Antilles, the Dark Woman, Kyle Katarn, and Vergere are commonly identified as Grey Jedi, although Katarn returned to the Light Side. In Knights of the Old Republic II, it is possible to acquire a Grey Jedi Robe. Grey Jedi usually carry silver or greyish-white lightsabers.

The Grey Jedi were founded hundreds of years before the major timeline of the Star Wars films. They joined together in a rebellion against the strict, moralistic dogmas of the Jedi and Sith, and made a home on the uncharted world of Dellen, and remained largely hidden from the rest of the galaxy.

Like the Jedi and the Sith, Grey Jedi live by a code of ethics. Unlike the Jedi and Sith codes, however, the "Code of the Line" eschews moral absolutes in favor of situational ethics; The code is as follows:

1 - Emotions are acceptable, but they don't control you.

2 - You are who and what you choose to be as the maker of your own path.

3 - Law is necessary to maintain order, and all must live by it.

4 - The law must be broken in the name of a greater good.

5 - Those who cannot defend themselves must be protected.

6 - Those who use others must be stopped.

7 - Peace cannot exist without war.

8 - War must be prevented if at all possible; if a war is necessary, however, it must be ended quickly.

9 - The quest for knowledge is the best focus of one's time and mind.

10 - One must never neglect Jedi training of the body and The Force.

11 - Anyone may hold any position if chosen or elected, including Jedi.

12 - Rulers must be removed if they abuse those they rule.

13 - Expansion of empire by any means is sometimes necessary and for the best.

14 - Expansion of empire for purely material reasons must be stopped.

15 - Those unable to rule themselves must be ruled.

16 - Those unable to rule themselves must be taught to do so.

17 - Trust The Force.

18 - Trust your instincts, for they have learned from experience.

19 - Trust your heart, for it will always be true to you.

20 - Trust your mind, for it will draw on all your knowledge.

21 - Do not trust your eyes, they may be deceived.

22 - Do not trust your ears, they can be deceived.

23 - Do not trust a Jedi, for they will always believe they are right.

24 - Do not trust a Sith, for they will convince you are right.

25 - Do not trust a Grey, for they only trust themselves.

26 - Life must be preserved at all costs.

27 - Survival of the fittest is the way of life.

28 - The light will always chase away the dark.

29 - The dark will always encroach the light.

30 - So long as the grey line exists there will always be balance.

The most prominent Grey Jedi character in the Expanded Universe is Vergere, introduced in the New Jedi Order series as a former Jedi who had spent decades with the warlike Yuuzhan Vong. Vergere believed that the Force had no completely "light" or "dark" side, and should be viewed outside the scope of conventional morality. Beginning in the New Jedi Order series, she took young Jedi Jacen Solo on as her pupil. Later, her teachings help to develop a rift between Jacen and his uncle, Luke Skywalker.

The Grey Jedi will not intervene on either side, choosing instead to watch and follow their own code, defending themselves and maintaining the line. As a result, Luke Skwalker will see many Jedi leave to join the Grey and the ranks of darkness will as well. Foremost of these will be Jacen Solo, who, at the end of Legacy of the Force, will disappear for a time, becoming a Grey Master.^{[citation needed]}

A three-book series is currently being planned and outlined to reveal the beginnings and founders of the Grey, the ensuing years through the rise of the Galactic Empire, and up to the time of Jacen's joining, training, and naming as a Grey Master. The tentative release date is scheduled for late 2008-early 2009.

• Darth Bane- Established the rule of two. Master and apprentice.
• Asajj Ventress
• Joruus C'Baoth
• Komari Vosa
• Xanatos
• Darth Tyranus
• Jerec

• Dark Jedi entry on Sith page
• Dark side devotee

• Dark Jedi on Wookieepedia: The Star Wars Wiki