The Star Wars universe's Jedi are a complicated bunch. They're a long-forgotten legend in the original trilogy, kept alive only by a couple of aging devotees and one new champion. The prequels depict their old ways, inadvertently revealing several bone-deep flaws that would result in their extinction. The Acolyte seeks to focus on those problematic aspects of the would-be heroes with a new perspective on a new era. In that quest, it depicts a Jedi Master who willingly submits himself to the mysterious Barash Vow.
Jedi history is often vague and segmented. Star Wars treats the development of the Jedi order as a mix of recorded events and fantastical legends. Characters regularly tell stories that sound like epic mythology. Most of the facts appear in extended universe materials, like novels and comic books. It's an unusual way to treat the franchise's ostensible heroes, but Jedi have always been more of a symbol than a narrative structure.
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What does the Barash Vow entail?
The Barash Vow is a personal promise that a Jedi can commit themselves to. It compels a Jedi to leave behind the physical world and enter a meditative state. They isolate themselves, ignore all outside stimuli, and refuse to carry out any Jedi Order business. The Jedi spends their time in a trance, trying to deepen their relationship with the Force. This is an incredibly difficult and intensive process. Every Jedi who takes the Barash Vow seeks to attain an unprecedented level of understanding of the mystical energy field. Most Jedi take the Barash Vow as a form of penitence. They atone for some perceived sin by living an even more ascetic life and becoming one with the Force. Some choose to take the vow temporarily, intending to establish or re-establish their connection before returning to their Jedi duties. Most choose to live on a quiet world, often surrounded by nature, as they do the hard work inside their minds.
Who originated the Barash Vow?
Barash Sylvain created and named the Barash Vow. Barash was a Jedi Master with a strong connection to the Force. As a member of the Kage species, Barash had memories of the earliest days of her life. This let her recall her life before the Jedi Order found her, leaving her longing for the love of a family. Barash formed a close, sibling-like bond with fellow Jedi Porter Engle. Barash and Porter became a brilliant duo, but the Jedi Order despises emotional connections. The two of them deliberately performed worse when separated, forcing the Jedi to tolerate their love for each other. Barash's innate fondness for the Force perfectly complimented Porter's skills as one of the best warriors in Jedi history. Unfortunately, Barash's powers of perception and intuition failed her at a key moment.
Barash and Porter got involved in a conflict on a remote planet called Gansevor. The matter quickly became extremely complicated. The Jedi discovered a war between the city-states of Firevale and Bethune. They sought a peaceful solution, negotiating with the Bethune army to allow humanitarian aid through their military blockade. The Bethune forces request the Jedi's aid, claiming that Firevale kidnapped their heir, Princess Sicatra. The Bethunians hired the brutal mercenary leader Abediah Viess and her crew to bombard Firevale. Barash and Porter meet Colden, the prince of Firevail, who states that Sicatra ran away willingly to marry him. Sicatra supported the story, revealing that she's pregnant with a child that would be unsafe in Bethune. Sylvain believes her and asks Porter to request a ceasefire. Viess ignores Porter's request and launches attacks so savage that Bethune disowns her actions.
Sicatra and Colden secretly planned both sides of the attack to force Firevail's queen to abdicate, giving the princess the throne. They developed a truce in advance, promised resources to the Bethunians, and used the mercenaries as a ready-made antagonist to bring their new subjects together. Barash, typically a beacon of insight with advanced skills at determining the truth, felt the weight of her mistake. Her inability to sense Sicatra's deceit shook her faith in herself. This momentary lapse in judgment led Barash to flee her duties as a Jedi and isolate herself until she could hear the Force again.
Notable Jedi who took the Barash Vow
Barash Sylvain was the first Jedi to take the Barash Vow, but she's far from the only one. Around 14,000 Jedi took the Barash Vow during the Jedi Council's period of activity. Only a few of them received names and explanations:
- Jedi Master Torbin: Fans will likely learn more about this man as The Acolyte goes on. Torbin is one of four Jedi Masters on Mae's hit list. His actions remained vague after the premiere. An impenetrable force field guards him while he silently meditates. Mae can't attack him, forcing her to rely on poison. When she offers him absolution, he willingly consumes poison and dies.
- Kirak Infil'a: Kirak served the Jedi Order as a mighty warrior, but some perceived sin sent him to a remote planet for a long Barash Vow session. This left him out of Order 66, but Darth Vader believed it would also leave him vulnerable. His fight with Vader was legendary, but it ended in his death.
- Dez Rydan: Unlike many Jedi, this warrior undertakes the Barash Vow after a traumatic experience. He became a prisoner and suffered torture at the hands of several dark-side-aligned plant monsters. He took the vow to realign his priorities and recover after the torment.
- Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Old Ben" Kenobi maintained a version of the vow between the death of Anakin Skywalker and the beginning of A New Hope. The Obi-Wan Kenobi show seems to dispute this, but it remains canon.
The Barash Vow is a promise to set everything aside and focus on the Force. It has several unique potential features. Most seem to spend their vow meditating in silence. While every Jedi must cultivate their understanding of the mystical energy, those who take the Barash Vow make it their entire life.
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