Rift Jedi

"And in return for the loyalty and brave defence of the people of the Outer Rim Alliance, it is demanded the Jedi who came to our aid against your tyranny have all charges dropped against them, and allowed to remain the first and last defence of our people, through good and ill." - Excerpt from the ORA Declaration of Peace.

ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION

• Title of leader: Commander (selected jointly by the Rift Assembly and Outer Rim Alliance leadership)
• Current leader(s): Rift Commander Zam Kessar
• Governing body: Rift Assembly
• Other positions:
  • First Guardian (nominated by the Rift Guardians)
  • Guardian
  • Knight / Ace
  • Recruit
• Organisations:
  • Rift Assembly (elected by all Rift Jedi)
  • Rift Flying Squadron
  • Rift Guardians (chosen internally by the Rift Guardians)
• Sects: None
• Headquarters: Rift Jedi Headquarters, Belsmuth
• Official language(s): Galactic Basic Standard
• Affiliated organisations/governments:
  • Outer Rim Alliance
  • Third Galactic Republic (nominally)

BELIEFS

• Holy text(s): None
• Deities:
  • Light Side of the Force
  • The Force

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

• Date of founding: 1,190 ABY (as Jedi defectors); 1,195 ABY (official recognition)
• Planet of founding: Multiple worlds within the Outer Rim Alliance
• Founder: Zam Kessar

OTHER

• Notable members:
  • Zam Kessar
  • Dora-Sul† (formerly)

PHILOSOPHY

The Rift Jedi reject the notion that the Jedi exist as a universal moral authority or supranational order. Instead, they view themselves as a pragmatic, situational response to suffering and instability, bound not to abstract ideals but to the defence of living communities. Their philosophy is grounded in the belief that the Force is not an end in itself, but a tool that carries responsibility toward those who cannot wield it.

Unlike the Reborn Jedi Order, the Rift Jedi do not seek detachment from political realities. They openly acknowledge that neutrality in the face of aggression is itself a choice, and often a harmful one. While they do not pursue governance, they accept that operating alongside the Outer Rim Alliance necessarily places them within political and military structures. This is viewed not as corruption, but as accountability.

The Rift Jedi place particular emphasis on presence and consequence. Members are encouraged to form lasting ties to the worlds and populations they defend, to understand local cultures, and to remain physically and emotionally invested in the outcomes of their actions. Detachment is considered a discipline to be applied selectively, not a permanent moral stance.

Force use within the Rift is framed as stewardship rather than transcendence. The Light Side is understood not as moral perfection, but as restraint exercised in moments of power. Anger, fear, and grief are not denied, but are expected to be recognised, confronted, and controlled rather than suppressed. Failure to do so is treated as a personal responsibility rather than a spiritual taint.

The Rift Jedi are openly critical of the historic Jedi doctrine that prioritised balance through withdrawal. They argue that such thinking allowed successive atrocities to occur unchecked, culminating in the fragmentation of the Order and the erosion of public trust. In contrast, the Rift holds that balance must be maintained through action, even when such action carries moral risk.

This philosophy has resulted in a more militarised and decentralised structure, with authority derived from demonstrated judgement rather than adherence to dogma. While this approach exposes the Rift Jedi to internal disagreement and external criticism, it is regarded as preferable to the rigidity and moral absolutism that characterised the Order from which they broke away.