Jedi Lore Keeper: Warden of Wisdom: December 2018

When a group of Makeb’s early settlers explored the planet’s underground caves, they encountered a vicious burrowing animal they named the exoboar. Surprisingly fast and armored with blaster-resistant leathery skin, the exoboars ripped up equipment and drove the settlers back until Sarthon Quis, a former career bodyguard, figured out that the boars were repelled by a particular herb growing in the caves. Rubbing the herb on their clothes allowed the settlers to pass safely.

In later years, Sarthon Quis became an acclaimed hunter of exoboars and even had a set of armor made from exoboar hide. Unfortunately, he wore it while on an expedition into even deeper caves and was devoured by a subteroth who took him for a particularly plump boar.

(Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)

Ossus: The Fallen World of the Jedi—A Graveyard of Knowledge

Once a beacon of Jedi enlightenment and strength, the planet Ossus now stands as a silent tomb, ravaged by the fury of the Sith. Centuries ago, Ossus was home to the largest Jedi archives in the galaxy, a center of learning, diplomacy, and peace. But the darkness of the Sith Empire brought an unrelenting storm to its peaceful surface, leaving behind only charred ruins and hollowed memories.

Shrouded in the nebulous depths of the Cron Drift, Ossus has become nearly impossible to reach, and those few who have managed to survive the treacherous journey are met with a world consumed by devastation. The surface, once alive with lush forests and ancient temples, is now a barren wasteland, haunted by the remnants of a civilization long gone. The Jedi Order, which once flourished here, now barely remembers its loss. For the Sith, there is little to gain from revisiting a world already erased from their enemies' history—its purpose defeated, its legacy forgotten.

Yet, amidst the smoldering ruins, questions linger. What secrets still hide in the forgotten corners of Ossus? What knowledge was lost to the galaxy in the fall of its archives? And could there be more to the planet's fate than mere destruction? The story of Ossus is far from over; it waits, buried beneath the ashes of the past, for those brave enough to seek it out.

In the shadow of its once-glorious Jedi temples, Ossus remains a graveyard of knowledge, calling to those with the will to uncover its mysteries. For some, it is a monument to the fall of the Jedi; for others, it is a place of untapped potential—a new beginning forged from the ashes of the old.

Devastated by the Sith centuries ago, the planet Ossus has largely been forgotten by the greater galaxy. Enshrouded in the nebular material of the Cron Drift, the planet is difficult to even reach, with those who survive the journey discovering only hazardous wastelands and abandoned ruins on its surface.

Though it was once a notable center of Jedi culture and learning, the planet has rarely been visited by members of the Jedi Order in recent decades, as Ossus is located well within the Sith Empire's sphere of influence. For their part, the Sith have shown no interest whatsoever in exploring the planet; what purpose could be served by visiting the charred grave of an already-defeated foe?

(Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)

The Great Jedi Library of Ossus: A Legacy Preserved in Stone

The Great Jedi Library on Ossus was once the heart of Jedi knowledge—a colossal repository of ancient texts, artifacts, and wisdom accumulated over millennia. Carved deep within the mountains of Ossus, the library was an architectural marvel designed to withstand the ravages of time and conflict. It stood as the center of learning for the Jedi Order, a place where scholars, historians, and Jedi Masters from across the galaxy gathered to study the Force, philosophy, and the universe’s deepest mysteries.

The library housed countless records—scrolls, holocrons, and texts—that chronicled not only the history of the Jedi Order but also the galaxy itself. Hidden deep within its chambers were ancient secrets, forbidden knowledge, and lessons passed down through generations of Jedi. Its halls were home to some of the most powerful and enlightened beings the galaxy had ever known, making it one of the most coveted places in the galaxy for knowledge seekers.

But the tranquility of Ossus was shattered when a supernova, a cataclysmic event in the distant stars, struck the planet with devastating force. The mighty explosion sent shockwaves through the planet, ravaging everything in its path. Many believed that Ossus, and with it, the Great Jedi Library, was lost forever. The once-beautiful world was reduced to a lifeless, barren wasteland, and its Jedi guardians scattered, leaving the library to stand in silent ruin.

Yet, against all odds, the Great Jedi Library endured. The mountain that housed it, built with an unmatched strength and foresight by the Jedi architects, absorbed the brunt of the supernova’s fury. While the planet around it burned, the library remained intact, its vast halls untouched by the explosion’s aftermath. The chamber doors sealed with ancient locks, and the knowledge within remained preserved, waiting for those daring enough to uncover it.

The supernova, though devastating, did not claim all. The library’s vast collection of knowledge remained hidden within the mountain, safe from the ravages of time. The mountain itself, now an ominous and solitary peak amid the wreckage of Ossus, stands as a testament to the Jedi’s foresight and the strength of their dedication to knowledge. For those who are willing to brave the hazardous journey through the Cron Drift, the secrets of the Great Jedi Library still await—protected, preserved, and ready to reveal their mysteries.

Ossus may be a shattered world, but within its heart, the legacy of the Jedi lives on. The Great Jedi Library, though forgotten by many, is not gone—it waits. For scholars, Jedi, and adventurers, the mountain calls with the promise of untold wisdom.

The Jedi Library on Ossus (Great Jedi Library)

The Largest Jedi Library ever build, it was the center of knowledge and artifacts for the Jedi order until Ossus was hit by a supernova. It is extremely structurally strong, with the entirely of it build inside a mountain. So much if it has survived the supernova.

(Datalog analysis/SWTOR)

The Great Jedi Library: Custodian of Knowledge and Legacy

Amidst the charred ruins of Ossus lies a treasure trove of ancient wisdom—forgotten by many but etched into the very fabric of galactic history. A sanctuary of learning, the Great Jedi Library stands as a testament to the Jedi Order’s enduring legacy, offering secrets and stories waiting to be uncovered by those who seek the truth of the Force.

A Vault of Timeless Wisdom

The Great Jedi Library was once the heart of the Jedi Order, its vast halls filled with the collected wisdom of countless generations. Nestled within the mountains of Ossus, its sturdy walls were designed to withstand the tests of time and calamity. When the supernova ravaged the planet, many believed the library to be lost forever, a casualty of the galaxy's unending cycle of destruction and rebirth. Yet, miraculously, the mountain stronghold stood firm, preserving its sacred knowledge despite the destruction surrounding it.

Within the library's vast archives were countless scrolls, manuscripts, and tomes—each holding the teachings of ancient Jedi Masters who shaped the Order’s philosophy. These texts offered wisdom on everything from meditation to battle tactics, from understanding the Force to mastering the art of diplomacy. To the untrained eye, they were nothing more than ink on paper, but to those who sought to understand the mysteries of the Force, they were the key to unlocking the galaxy's most profound truths.

The Holocrons: Echoes of the Past

Among the library’s most prized possessions were the holocrons—powerful relics that contained the recorded teachings of past Jedi Masters. These intricate devices were both tools of learning and tests of wisdom. Each holocron could only be activated by someone worthy—those who had earned the right to hear the knowledge contained within.

The holocrons stored the personal experiences and insights of the Jedi Masters who had shaped the history of the Order, from the wisdom of ancient leaders like Jedi Master Vodo-Siosk Baas to the teachings of more recent figures like Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Some holocrons contained battle strategies, while others imparted deeper spiritual philosophies, teaching Jedi to listen to the Force and understand the balance between light and dark.

The Forbidden Knowledge: Secrets Beyond the Jedi Code

However, not all knowledge stored within the Great Jedi Library was meant to be easily accessed. Some texts were kept locked away in the deepest chambers, safeguarded by those who knew the dangers they posed. The Force, after all, was a tool that could be wielded for great good or devastating evil, and the Jedi Order understood the importance of guarding such power.

Among the most dangerous of these secrets was the knowledge of Force Alchemy, a forbidden art that bent the laws of nature itself. Jedi Masters who had once dabbled in this dark practice had seen its devastating consequences, and as a result, any records of this technique were heavily restricted. Even the holocrons of ancient Jedi who had mastered these techniques were considered dangerous, their knowledge holding the potential to corrupt the unprepared mind.

Artifacts of the Force: Relics of Power

The Great Jedi Library also held within its vaults an assortment of relics—artifacts tied to the history and power of the Jedi Order. Some were simple tools, like the meditation stones used by Jedi to enhance their connection to the Force, while others were objects of immense power, imbued with the Force in ways that made them unique.

Among these relics was the legendary Saber of Nomi Sunrider, a weapon that had been wielded by one of the greatest Jedi of the Old Republic. It was said that the blade had a unique connection to the Force, a bond that allowed its wielder to channel their energy with unparalleled precision. The Saber of Nomi Sunrider was kept as both a symbol of the Jedi Order’s triumphs and a reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of peace.

The Lost Prophecies: Glimpses of the Future

Another layer of the library’s significance lay in the ancient prophecies that foretold the future of the galaxy. These were not simple predictions; they were glimpses of the cosmic patterns woven by the Force, offering insights into the destinies of those who would shape the future.

Among these prophecies were the stories of the Chosen One, a being destined to bring balance to the Force. These prophecies, passed down through the ages, were not always understood by the Jedi, yet they guided them through times of uncertainty. One such prophecy spoke of a child born of the Force itself, whose actions would determine the fate of the galaxy—a prophecy that would later be realized with the birth of Anakin Skywalker.

A Forgotten Legacy

Though the Great Jedi Library’s halls have remained silent for centuries, its legacy lives on in the hearts of those who remember the Jedi Order’s role in shaping galactic history. The planet Ossus may have fallen into obscurity, hidden behind the nebulae of the Cron Drift, but the library’s contents endure—waiting for those with the courage to seek out its truths.

The story of the Jedi, of their victories and their failures, is forever etched into the library’s walls, preserved for future generations. And as long as the stars shine above Ossus, the Force will continue to guide those who look for knowledge in its vast expanse.