Description
A Jedi Sentinel is the name given to one of the three Jedi Orders, and is considered the middle ground to the other Orders. The philosophies behind this Order are often closely linked with Bastila Shan, a Jedi Sentinel famous for her use of Battle Meditation, who was also closely associated with the Dark Lord Revan, whom she managed to both capture and redeem. Jedi Sentinels receive adequate knowledge in both combat skills and knowledge of the Force, utilizing both skills when necessary. This Order is also unlike the other two; they realize that the Force has limitations and they are not blinded by faith. Where a Guardian would break down a door, or a Consular would simply knock, a Sentinel would use their skills and ingenuity to pick the lock. Oftentimes, it was common that they may learn a series of non-Force associated skills such as security, demolitions or stealth techniques, as well as ingenuity. Jedi Sentinels often take on tasks not well suited to the other Orders, preferring to stay in one place for a long period of time. Jedi Sentinels also practiced specialized techniques in the Force. A favored Force technique was a special form of Force Immunity that, combined with their increased mental conditioning, protected against outside mental influences, even Force-based attacks to guard them from effects such as fear or paralysis. Although not often lit unless necessary in a situation, most Sentinels utilize a yellow blade in their lightsaber, although like the other Orders, they are free to choose whichever color they feel best suited to. Most Sentinels believe that nobody deserves death and that everyone deserves a shot at redemption.
History
The history of the Jedi Sentinel goes back to the Old Republic Era. In this time, the branch of study was first documented by the Sentinel Jedi Recruiter Morrit Ch'gally in the text, The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force. Morrit Ch'gally was known to have passed on knowledge useful to explain the way a young Jedi should present themselves to the galaxy.
While many of the other Jedi were hunted to extinction during the Great Jedi Purge, Darth Sidious suspected that many of the survivors were Sentinels due to their propensity to be serving on distant worlds and not on the front lines of war. While many died during the subsequent years, the memories and ideals of this branch lived on in a recovered version of The Jedi Path. While the New Jedi Order did not initially reinstate the title, their roles were filled by the new Jedi filling out the Order. Grand Master Luke Skywalker considered Masters Kam Solusar and Kyle Katarn to be prime examples of what that role signified.[1] As of 137 ABY, the Order had begun to use the title, though many were slaughtered during the reign of Darth Krayt. The Sentinels who did survive felt personally responsible for failing to see the resurrection of the Sith scourge and began to hunt down members of the One Sith in hopes of rebuilding the galaxy and the Order.
Bastila Shan
Bastila held many qualities that set her apart from her peers and set her on the path to greatness. However, these traits also led to her eventual fall to the dark side. Bastila was brash, overconfident and impulsive, she often acted as if invincible, even while constantly aware of her responsibilities. She followed the Jedi Code as strictly as possible, expressing even more radical views than that of her peers, believing that everyone deserved a chance at redemption, Revan included. Although she trusted the judgement of her masters, she often felt that they were secretive, self-absorbed and overly critical. However, she questioned the idea that love should be forbidden by Jedi, often unable to control her emotions. These traits also somewhat relate to the philosophies of the Order of the Sentinel.
Role In The Dark Jedi Brotherhood
Like the other Jedi Orders, the Sentinel's role in the Brotherhood is to mirror the darker Krath Order. Currently, the only House that has sole access to this Order is that of House Odan-Urr itself. Within House Odan-Urr, Sentinels typically follow the strict rules that apply to the Jedi Code, and may act as valuable liasons to the High Coucillor.