Summary
Luke Skywalker chose to base his new Jedi Order on the planet Ossus, and the reason is hinted at fromStar WarsLegends. Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Order was first seen in flashbacks inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, but it wasn’t untilThe Book of Boba Fett- set decades earlier in the timeline - that viewers got to see it. Ironically, this placement in the timeline meant viewers weren’t introduced to anymembers of Luke’s Jedi Order.
The planet itself went unnamed, although apparently it was referred to in the scripts as “Ossus.” Adam Christopher’s novelShadow of the Sithfinally confirmedLuke’s Jedi Temple was based on Ossus, a delightful homage toStar WarsLegends. Andthis could actually be the key to Luke’s restoring the Jedi Order, explaining how he found so many potential recruits.
Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Temple On Ossus Was The Key To Palpatine’s Defeat After All
Luke’s Temple & Academy on the ancient Jedi planet Ossus actually contained information that directly led to the eventual defeat of the Sith.
The Ysanna of Ossus
Force-Sensitive Inhabitants With A Rich History
In Legends,the planet Ossus was home to a race known as the Ysanna. Survivors of a cataclysmic supernova caused by the destruction of the Cron Cluster during the Great Sith War, many Ysanna were descended from Jedi who had been stranded on the planet and had been studying at Ossus' ancient Great Jedi Library. George Lucas always imagined that some races would be strong in the Force, and the Ysanna - who had developed a warrior culture - were one such example. They were introduced in Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy’sDark Empireback in 1992.
The Ysanna still exist in the current Star Wars timeline.
While the Ysanna’s Force sensitivity was rooted in ancient traditions, their skills were raw and unrefined. Luke saw an opportunity to mold these individuals into fully-fledged Jedi, integrating their unique perspectives into the Order he was rebuilding. Interestingly, the Ysanna are also mentioned inNexus of Power, a canon sourcebook, which meansthey still exist in the currentStar Warstimeline.
Luke Has The Perfect Recruits For His Jedi Order
The Ysanna Could Bolster The Ranks Of The Jedi
Luke’s decision to establish his Jedi academy on Ossus was not just a homage to the ancient Jedi. The presence of the Ysanna on Ossus gave him a head start in recruiting Force-sensitive individuals who were already attuned to the planet’s mystical energies. These warriors, with their deep connection to the Force and survivalist mentality, were the ideal candidates for the new Jedi Order Luke envisioned.
The Ysanna provided Luke with the perfect recruits— Force-sensitive, resilient, and deeply connected to their homeworld. He’s confirmed to have discovered ruins of the Great Library there too, securing at least one of his Sacred Jedi Texts, allowing Luke to learn from the past. What’s more, the Force vergence on Ossus was surely something Luke wanted to study.
Ossus’ Dark Past Explains The Rise And Fall Of Luke’s Jedi Order
The Planet’s History Was Integral To Luke’s Success And Tragedy
Charles Soule and Will Sliney’s TheRise of Kylo Renminiseries strongly implied that it wasPalpatine who destroyed Luke’s temple, striking when Luke was unconscious, beaten by Ben Solo. This revelation raises questions about Palpatine’s immense power, but he answer lies in Ossus itself. According toNexus of Power, Ossus had been scarred by past battles between the Jedi and the Sith, leaving the planet highly susceptible to dark side energies. The mere presence of a powerful darkness on Ossus could generate a massive Force storm - and Palpatine used this against Luke.
There is an irony, then, that Luke chose to base himself on aplanet rich in the Forcebecause it had so many Force-sensitives there - and Palpatine then used that same vergence against him. What’s more, this also explains why Kylo Ren believed he was responsible; he assumed the planet was reacting to the darkness within him, the same darkness he believed had provoked Luke into attacking him. In reality, it was Palpatine’s influence amplified by Ossus itself, yet anotherStar Warstragedy.
Luke Skywalker
The son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke’s faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine’s manipulations, but Luke’s legacy lives on in Rey.
