Editing New Jedi Order (section)

=='''Learning and teaching the ways of the Force'''==

==='''Philosophies'''===

''"I don't believe the training of a true Jedi comes from listening to lectures. I want to teach you how to learn action, how to do things, not just think about them. There is no try."''<br />'''―Luke Skywalker'''

In the New Jedi Order emphasis was placed on learning through experience. While formal classes were held, students were also asked to establish their own training programs, developing their own individual approaches to the Force. Initially, not all students were satisfied with this model, most notably Corran Horn who eventually left the Order (only to return some time later).

Luke Skywalker oversaw the teaching, but did also delegate teaching responsibilities to students so-called Jedi trainers who were specifically skilled at certain areas. Thus, for example Kam Solusar would instruct his fellow students in lightsaber combat in the early days of the New Jedi Order, while Corran Horn, who used to be a law enforcer with CorSec would teach unarmed combat and self-defense. Tionne would specialize in Jedi lore and pass on her knowledge to her fellow students.

With time there were enough skilled Jedi Knights, and some Jedi Masters, in the new order to start approximating the Master-Padawan model of the Old Order. However, since there were still only few members of the New Order, Masters would be assigned multiple students. In accordance with the learning-by-doing principle, students would accompany Masters on missions to gain experience and they would sometimes be sent on missions on their own. One student who benefited particularly much from this model, was Jaden Korr who was apprenticed to Katarn. Katarn's other student, Rosh Penin, however was unhappy with this model, and was once heard complaining to a fellow Jedi student that he felt his talents were not fostered and that he felt Katarn was holding him back. Korr rose to become one of the most skilled Knights of the New Order while Penin turned to the dark side, but was eventually redeemed, having learned a lesson about patience.

The teachings of the New Jedi Order differed from those of the Old in several ways, and were closer to those practiced by the Jedi before the Great Sith War. Jedi were allowed to marry and have families, and each Jedi Master could train multiple apprentices. Jedi were allowed to use conventional weapons and armor besides their lightsabers, and the wearing of the Jedi robes, while popular, was no longer mandatory. For a long time, the Order was also much less centrally controlled, with each Jedi being given much greater personal freedom and responsibility.

==='''Lightsaber construction'''===

''"Dual-phase blades seem to be something of a fad among Jedi at certain points."''<br />'''―Luke Skywalker'''

The construction of lightsabers in the new Order differed from that of the old in many ways. Luke Skywalker discovered records in Obi-Wan Kenobi's hut on Tatooine on how to construct lightsabers that he used himself, and would later introduce to his students. Some other techniques were also recovered by the Jedi, sometimes in less than desirable ways. The malevolent spirit of Exar Kun guided Gantoris in making a dual-phase lightsaber, capable of extending dramatically in length when secondary crystals aligned. Skywalker discovered this, almost at the cost of his life, when the rogue student challenged him to a lightsaber duel. Corran Horn constructed a similar lightsaber independently, using a process obtained from his (step)-grandfather, Rostek Horn. Occasionally, exceptional students, such as Jaden Korr, were able to construct lightsabers on their own, without formal instruction. Luke Skywalker also constructed a shorter lightsaber, known as a shoto, to fight Lumiya during the Nagai-Tof War. This was designed to counteract the dual nature of her weapon, known as a lightwhip. Skywalker kept this weapon for many years, and taught other Jedi Masters, such as his wife Mara, how to construct them.

One problem faced by the new Jedi Order was a shortage of high quality crystals, such as was available to the old Jedi Order. Sacred sites such as Ilum or the Adega system were lost to the Jedi and so other sources had to be sought out, with accompanying danger. Imperial Advisor Bregius Golthan once tried to lure Skywalker into a trap on the planet Canyon, claiming a source of adequate crystals had been found. However, Luke sent NRI agents in his stead, who managed to escape the trap. On another occasion, Skywalker traveled to the planet Halm to recover some adegan crystals from its famous mines. There, he was forced to fight off Imperial opposition who were also after the crystals. The lack of a single substantial source of lightsaber crystals resulted in a greater variety types used, and consequently, greater blade coloration. Some of the unusual sources included a shard of the Kaiburr crystal used in Luke Skywalker's saber, a jewel from a Hapan crown in Tenel Ka's saber, Corusca gems from the gas giant Yavin used in those of Gantoris and Jacen Solo, and a synthetically manufactured crystal used in Jaina Solo's saber—making use of a process once considered to be a Sith technique.

Furthermore, Jedi were encouraged to make their handles more personal, reflecting both their personalities and their upbringing. Examples of this included Cilghal's, which was silvery and smooth, with subtle indentations common among Mon Calamari technology, Tionne's, that used a spiral mist-horn, and that of Tenel Ka, which was fashioned from a rancor tooth. An odd example of this diversity was Corran Horn's first saber, constructed in haste from the throttle of a speeder bike.

==='''Lightsaber training'''===

''"You are learning to focus on precision rather than brute strength, to anticipate my moves and your own reactions using the Force."''<br />'''―Tionne Solusar'''

Following the Great Jedi Purge, many of the old lightsaber forms used by the Old Jedi Order were lost and Luke had received little in the way of formal training. However, with the foundation of the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4 and the first intake of students, the path to rediscovering these began. Kam Solusar taught the first students the basic principals of fencing, possibly elements of Shii-Cho, upon which all lightsaber combat is based. More specifically, he taught them the Three Rings of Defense.

Along with Kam's own knowledge, there may have been additional teachings from the Jensaarai, their founders being Jedi Knights and Padawans they would likely still have knowledge on the original lightsaber forms used by the Jedi of old. Add to this the knowledge gained by Kyle Katarn, who had been instructed in fencing while he studied at the academy on Carida and was later taught lightsaber combat by the spirits of Qu Rahn and Tal, and by 14 ABY the order had developed its own styles of combat, complete with their own Katas and maneuvers. Divided into Medium style, Fast style and Strong style, the forms of combat which were finally developed and refined seem to be an amalgamation of the old and the new, further bridging the Old Jedi Order with the new. By 14 ABY, the Academy also introduced some training sabers, although students such as Rosh Penin derided their use. By 35 ABY, students who had constructed their first Lightsabers were usually just known as apprentices. The original Lightsaber Forms were rediscovered in the great Holocron taught by Cin Drallig.

The New Jedi Order also restored the title of Jedi Battlemaster, which was bestowed on Kyle Katarn.