A basic guidebook and reference for the Jedi Master/Apprentice relationship and what it entails. Arranged by Drake Rylan and Harpalyce with the assistance of Lord-FSan and Leia1987. To be used as an Out-Of-Character Reference Only.
Introduction
Within the Jedi Order one of the primary goals has always remained the training of young, Force-Sensitive children in the ways of the Jedi. This training, commonly, follows the age-old ritual of The Selection. The Selection is a process dictated within the Archives in which a Jedi Knight or Jedi Master chooses from the existing Jedi Younglings a single student to personally train, and take responsibility for.
Commonly, but not exclusively, Jedi Younglings are selected as Padawan Learners by a Master around the age of 8 years old. From the time they are taken by the Order as Younglings (commonly no older than 5) the Padawan has been trained in the basics of meditation and lightsaber combat, as well as versed in the Jedi Code and existing doctrine decided upon by the Jedi Council.
Once chosen by a Master, however, the Youngling now is referred to as a Padawan Learner, and their training is dictated almost exclusively by their respective Master. This process, however, has remained unique depending on each specific case and without a great deal of documentation. It is the intentions of the author, and the Jedi Order, to investigate and reveal some of the more basic tenants held within this relationship and provide players with a reference for their enjoyment, and play.
For the purpose of Jedi Order Padawan learners are not restricted in selection by age, however the author would suggest that the players of both the Master and Apprentice take time to learn about one another’s various styles and basic information such as online times and availability, before embarking on the In-Game Journey of Apprenticeship. The commitment is a serious and sometimes lengthy process that is designed to instill within both characters a deep, long-standing bond.
The Bond itself is considered almost sacred in Jedi Lore, with numerous references to Jedi Master’s nearly falling to the Dark Side due to feelings of failure, guilt, and grief when their Apprentices are either killed or, more rarely, fall to the Dark Side. It is typical, even when Knighted, for Jedi to keep close contact with their former Masters.
It is important, then, that emphasis is placed upon the authoring of a sincere partnership and bond and not on progression. Promotion to Jedi Knight should be but a footnote in a fulfilling adventure that the Master and Apprentice embark on together. As with all stories, a Padawan’s training typically involves the highs and lows of life and seldom manifests itself as a straight line toward Knighthood.
This guide, constructed strictly for Out-Of-Character Reference, is designed to outline some of the more common elements of a Padawan’s training and Master’s Instruction in order to offer stepping stones in what can otherwise be left as nebulous material. The Force and its mastery is such an extensive, overwhelmingly large topic, that it is impossible for us to cover it entirely. Jedi Master’s, commonly, follow their own training regiment and lesson plans designed to give onto the Padawan Learner lessons they have deemed important and critical to success.
The Padawan Learner, likewise, is specific to the individual in that some will embrace their Master’s lessons as presented and others will reject methods or dogmatic themes evident and learn through searching for alternative means to the same, philosophical end. It are these occurrances and exceptions that insist that we, as players, recognize that this guide is strictly meant to suggest, not mandate, paths and topics to be explored.
The goal remains for Padawan Learners and their Masters to forge bonds through stories and write to enrich the world created within Jedi Order. It is a give and take relationship, with Master’s learning at times from their students and at times relying upon them as much, if not more, than the Student relies upon them. Above all, this dynamic is meant to be fun and rewarding on a creative level. Feel free, as such, to deviate from this guide as much as you require should it help you further your play with your partner. Have fun, enjoy the story, and don’t hesitate to post logs or deviations spawned from the relationship.
For informative purposes, all topics in this guide will be broken into Out-Of-Character and In-Character partitions.
The Selection
"Out-Of-Character"
The Selection Process is one of the more important In-Game challenges to complete with proper Out-Of-Game communication taken into account. Because the Master/Apprentice bond is one of the more critical in the game, and a good match is so important for the happiness of both players, time should be taken by both Padawan and Master to learn several simple, important things about one another.
1. Availability – How available are the players to one another for interaction and play? If the players will have trouble getting in-touch with one another generally the partnership will becomed a strained and difficult one for both to maintain.
2. Playtimes – Are the players in the same time zone, or close enough to one another that online meetings can be easily arranged?
3. Writing Style – Players of similar writing styles commonly garnish more enjoyment out of one another than players whose styles are dissimilar. While easily overcome with solid communication and effort, this is one of many things that should be addressed before a match is made.
4. Intentions – Players should speak candidly of their intentions regarding the depth, intensity, and length of the training involved in order to insure a mutual ground is found.
With players agreed to undergo the prospective partnership together it should be addressed to the Jedi Council through a timely, respectful Note for their records and information. Jedi Padawans should understand that while exceptions can be made, any non-Council ordained Masters such as Grey Jedi are considered in violation of the Council’s authority and not-allowed. Requests for such unusual circumstances should be made to the Jedi Council and permission should be retrieved –before- any training begins.
"In-Character"
Commonly the Padawan did not request to be trained by a Master, but rather, was chosen by a Master who had taken an interest in the Padawan or been requested to do so by the Jedi Council. Once selected, the Jedi Padawan was given traditional Jedi Training Garments by his Master, sometimes stitched by their own hand. These garments were ceremonial gifts, not strictly to be used as attire, and commonly various shades of brown. In some, but not all cases, human apprentices began to grow their hair out in a lengthy and thin braid at the back of their head.
Lesson Format
A critical part of the roleplay between a Master and Apprentice is the lesson, and the structure it takes on. While the exact enactment of a lesson is a personal matter and not held strictly to any curriculum there exists within each four important elements.
1. Definition – The nature of the lesson’s material and its history is laid out by the Master, informing the Padawan not only what is expected of him but where the expectations are founded from.
2. Meditation – Critical to every aspect of a Jedi’s life the Meditation is crucial in allowing the Jedi to absorb and embrace the lesson in the Force. Master’s should guide, if necessary, a Padawan through breathing techniques and visualization efforts in order to allow them a necessary foothold on the technique.
3. Exercise – The Master should lead the Padawan through exercises in the technique’s application. Commonly these exercises apply not only a mental strain on the student attempting the technique, but a physical or emotional strain as well in order to force the Padawan to use the technique while under duress. Exercises commonly become increasingly difficult and complex as training progresses. A common example of a training exercise is Luke’s attempts to balance himself, and stones, with the Force despite Yoda’s provocations.
4. Evaluation – After the exercise is complete the Master explains the errors the Padawan has made in his technique and evaluates his performance. Problems are diagnosed through open dialogue and treated actively, suggestions for improvement and further expectations are dictated for the Padawan’s record.
Missions vs Lessons
It is important to recognize that while training is the focus of all Master and Student relationships the goal of roleplay is to entertain one another in the course of play. For that reason alone it is suggested that Masters show the initiative to organize missions of varying intent and difficulty to perform in tandem. This allows for lessons, such as Force Aided Diplomacy, to be taught in an active and enjoyable environment while extending each character's natural story within Jedi Order.
The following should be observed in regards to Missions:
1. All missions must be given council approval before they are carried out. Failure to do so will be considered a Rogue, or unauthorized action, and subject to the varying In-Game penalties and circumstances.
2. Early Missions should be assigned to the Master, with the Student accompanying them for the purpose of education and training.
3. Students should be given objectives, obstacles, and restrictions within missions by their Masters. Objections should be clearly defined and related to the lesson in mind. Obstacles should be of appropriate challenge for the student's progression level. Restrictions should be made to keep the Student's actions within the realm of the lesson, forcing them to rely upon it to see the task completed.
4. Any Mission attacking an existing In-Game organization that is represented by players -must- be related to the players of that organization, allowing them the fair-time and process to react and present challenges and resistance and reaction of their own.
The Trials
Under construction.
