Chirrut, the guardians of the Whills, Lor San Tekka, Jeddah & Arch-To

I liked the concept of these kind of temple guards very much. Although they are no Jedi they seem to be force sensitive and aware of the living force (a little bit like Maz Kanata). It could be very interesting to learn sthg about how the Jedi had been a kind of temple guards or force priests themselves in first place and the development to light saber wielding "peacekeepers" was a process as reaction to upcoming extremism.
I really hope we get some background about the origins of the first Jedi in VIII. Maybe Ach-Too is the place were the first so-called Jedi take their lessons and they were chosen amongst the most talented Temple Guards (a bit like the Shaolin monks)

 

It's a running theme in the new cannon that there are different groups that believe in the Force but are not Force-sensitive themselves. The article implies that we will see more of this but it doesn't really hint to how. Definitely a nice read though.

 

Lor San Tekka was a member of the Church of the Force, not a Guardian of the Whills. The new canon is really broadening our understanding of the force, there were many groups who were aware of the force and included it in their philosophy/worship to some extent. I don't think the link to the new trilogy or Ach-To will be near as concrete as you speculate; I lean more towards it just being an extra thread on the side for us hardcore fans to follow.

 

I would love to see a star wars story dedicated the background of all these force followers. I think it would add so much depth to the force.

 

I really enjoyed the way they portrayed the Force outside of the Jedi in R1.
Like a religion or spirituality that more can believe in but not be able manipulate.

This was really the first time you see non-Jedi full on embrace the force and treat it sacred.

 

I have to say though I noticed that in a couple of instances, Chirrut WAS able to tap into the force. Especially when on Eadu he sensed something "dark" in Cassian as he set out to the Imperial installation. So, I think it's also how much you believe in it and tap into it. You don't need to necessarily be a Jedi to tap into the force.

Also, I find it interesting that in one scene or line Krennic says that " all reminders/remnants of the Jedi (have been destroyed)" after the destruction of Jedha. (Can't remember when this line came in) I immediately thought… 'no, it hasn't'.

I wonder how that ties into Episode 8 as Luke headed to find the first Jedi Temple, which he did. Obviously, (If i'm correct) Luke had access to all the temples and shrines, which is why Snoke and the Frist Order were threatened by him. Just my two cents.

Them Empire was trying to destroyed everything Jedi-related. Obviously, they don't have all the information. Hmmm.. wonder if there's more to this story.

 

i loved this as well.

this was always how we saw the Force growing up with the OT. a life path. a spiritual choice.
not midichlorians and compulsory baby jedi school and all that.

 

It makes him like one of us who really want to use the force.

 

I like to get more backstory about Jedha, the Whills and those temple guardians. Maybe it will tie into the ST or not. Maybe it is for standalones only, who knows.

 

I absolutely think the "Whills" stuff in Rogue One was priming us for something in Ep. 8.

One member of the forums here (I unfortunately do not remember their name) suggested that Snoke might be a fallen Whill. I know it's another Snoke theory, but I actually kind of like it. It makes Snoke a threat to be reckoned with, but doesn't require some crazy coincidental relationship to previous characters or any other hackneyed way of bringing a character back from the dead.

 

I would love to hear Luke reference Jedha and/or Whills in Episode 8. Maybe even a flashback to Luke visiting Jedha?

 

Does anyone think that maybe the brief force back scene where Luke touches R2 and it the scene of the temple burning, could be on Jedha? Trying to rebuild from the most sacred place?

 

Han solo or boba fett stand alone movie? meh

I want a movie outlining Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus' lives leading up to them sitting in the street in R1. A Shaw Brothers Venom Mob type movie!

at the very least a limited comic book series.

Baze Malbus was once the most devoted guardian of- -us- -all!!!

 

I think you're onto something in that there is more to that story. My two cents on the matter - both the Clone Wars and Rebels have devoted time to temples; houses of Jedi knowledge and experience that long after the actual inhabitants themselves have passed on, still retain echoes of their power and knowledge. They are veritable treasure troves of power for Jedi Knights who seek to gain knowledge and wisdom. Having experienced some of this themselves, I can see Palpatine and Vader decreeing that these buildings needed to be destroyed wherever they could.

Their execution of that is somewhat shortsighted, though. Much as the former inhabitants' powers and echoes remained in the constructs, so to does the power of the structures themselves once they are destroyed. It's the location itself, not what's built on it, that seems to hold the power for these places. So even by destroying the Holy City (in another attempt to wipe out the Jedi, something Krennic would have hoped would curry the favour of Vader and Palpatine), the effect is virtually nonexistent as the spiritual power of the location is still there.

Hope that's making sense.

To more specifically delve into Krennic's meaning in those words - at this point in the canon, we know the Jedi Temple on Coruscant was destroyed and repurposed, and that other temples across the galaxy suffered similar fates. If Jedha was considered something of a mecca of Jedi activity, he could have viewed it as a symbolic annihilation of the last major Jedi landmark.

Now, what this all has to do with Luke and his self imposed exile...honestly, I don't think it has much to do with it. I think Luke has simply banished himself for failing not only as a Jedi Master, but also failing his family and friends due to his own apprentice and blood (Ben Solo) turning down the dark path despite his attempts to stop it. I think that's a much more viable explanation for such a lengthy, self-imposed exile rather than he's been secretly researching ways to defeat Kylo Ren and Snoke. (honestly, given all we know, Luke Skywalker should be able to make absolute mince meat of Kylo Ren. I haven't been given a scope to add context to Snoke's powers at this stage, but I'd assume something similar about him, too). I think Luke can't quite bring himself to face his catastrophic failure.

 

Now, what this all has to do with Luke and his self imposed exile...honestly, I don't think it has much to do with it. I think Luke has simply banished himself for failing not only as a Jedi Master, but also failing his family and friends due to his own apprentice and blood (Ben Solo) turning down the dark path despite his attempts to stop it. I think that's a much more viable explanation for such a lengthy, self-imposed exile rather than he's been secretly researching ways to defeat Kylo Ren and Snoke. (honestly, given all we know, Luke Skywalker should be able to make absolute mince meat of Kylo Ren. I haven't been given a scope to add context to Snoke's powers at this stage, but I'd assume something similar about him, too). I think Luke can't quite bring himself to face his catastrophic failure.[/QUOTE]

I see what your saying, however, I have to disagree with you somewhat with the latter paragraph. Frankly, we don't have all the information in terms of the events that preceded the fall of Luke's temple, students and the involvement of Kylo Ren to draw any conclusions as to why Luke left. Yes, Luke may not have had all the answers, felt like a failure, but at the same time, he may have been protecting what was left of his family and the state of the galaxy from further destruction if he was caught and killed. He is, in fact, the last Jedi as of now. By putting himself in harm's way, it would be a huge risk to everyone. In some way, he was being "pro-active".

On the other hand, I can't deny that in some way, Luke felt responsible for this (as Han mentioned in TFA) and needed to recollect himself, not putting himself at risk to fall to the dark side. Should be interesting (If they delve into this) how he reacted to Han's death. Maybe that was the signal he needed to come back or that someone would come back for him.

Ok, I think I'm off topic, but I think you catch my drift. lol