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"There is always hope, my friend, though it often comes in forms not looked for. The key is knowing how to see it and seizing that opportunity." ―Qui-Gon Jinn, to Yoda [src]

Qui-Gon Jinn, a Force-sensitive human male, was a venerable if maverick Jedi Master who lived during the last years of the Republic Era. He was a wise and well-respected member of the Jedi Order, and was offered a seat on the Jedi Council, but chose to reject in order to follow his own path. Adhering to a philosophy centered around the Living Force, Jinn strove to follow the will of the Force even when his actions conflicted with the wishes of the High Council. After encountering Anakin Skywalker, Jinn brought him to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, convinced he had found the Chosen One. His dying wish was for Skywalker to become a Jedi and ultimately restore balance to the Force.

Born on the Core World Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic in around 80 BBY, Jinn eventually learned the ways of the Force as the Padawan of Jedi Master Dooku before ultimately attaining the rank of Jedi Knight. He would go on to take an apprentice of his own, Obi-Wan Kenobi, who adhered to the principles of the Jedi Code more than his own master. When the Trade Federation initiated a blockade of the Mid Rim planet Naboo in 32 BBY, Jinn and Kenobi were dispatched to resolve the crisis at the request of Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum. Influenced by the mysterious Sith Lord Darth Sidious, the Federation launched a full-scale invasion of Naboo, forcing the Jedi to rescue Queen Padmé Amidala after the fall of Theed. During their journey to the galactic capital, the group was forced to land on the Outer Rim planet Tatooine where Jinn encountered a young slave named Anakin Skywalker. Using a scientific method to gauge the boy's potential, he learned that Skywalker had more midi-chlorians in his blood than any Force-sensitive in galactic history, including Grand Master Yoda. The revelation that he was the result of a miracle birth—a child born of a mother but had no father—confirmed Jinn's suspicion that Skywalker was, in fact, the Chosen One destined to restore balance to the Force. Before departing the desert world with Skywalker, Jinn was confronted by Sidious' Sith apprentice Darth Maul and although their duel was brief, it convinced Jinn that the Sith had returned after a millennium of silence.

At the Temple, Jinn was adamant that Skywalker was the Chosen One and should, therefore, be inducted into the Jedi Order. Having inspected Skywalker for themselves, however, the High Council deemed him too old, emotional, and dangerously full of fear and anger. Jinn saw their decision as a temporary setback but was forced to set aside his plans for Skywalker in order to resolve the situation on Queen Amidala's homeworld. During the Battle of Naboo, Jinn and Kenobi confronted Darth Maul together. While they initially managed to fend off the Sith Lord's attacks, master and apprentice were eventually separated during the lightsaber duel, resulting in Jinn sustaining a mortal injury. Rushing to his master's aid, Kenobi fought and ultimately defeated the Dathomirian Sith but was unable to save Jinn. With his last breath, Jinn made Kenobi promise that he would take Skywalker as his apprentice. Having secured Kenobi's word, Jinn became one with the Force, dying with the certainty that he had found the prophesied Chosen One.

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Biography Edit

Early life Edit

"Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you."

"Don't be so sure, my young Jedi. You forget that he was once my apprentice, just as you were once his." ―Obi-Wan Kenobi and Count Dooku [src]

Qui-Gon Jinn was a male human born on the galactic capital of Coruscant[1] circa 80 BBY. Identified as a Force-sensitive, he was taken for training by the Jedi Order and was assigned to the Heliost Clan where he learned lightsaber combat from Jedi Master Tera Sinube.[7] When Jinn was twelve years old, he was assigned as a Padawan to Jedi Master Dooku, from whom he learned the ways of the Force.[9][1] He'd spent his last night in the younglings' créche laughing with his friends, imagining all the adventures he would have as a Padawan, and practicing with his lightsaber in the sparring room until Master Yaddle ordered him to bed.[8] Around 68 BBY[11] when he presented himself to his new Master in Dooku's quarters, Dooku observed that Jinn was frightened. After a moment of silence, and with pressing from Dooku, Jinn confessed that he was. When asked why, after looking into himself through the fear, Jinn answered that he was not afraid of Dooku, but of not becoming a Jedi, that he was afraid of failing. Of not being worthy. Dooku then summarized it as Jinn being afraid of himself, of a future not being the one he wanted. Jinn confirmed it, fearing that Dooku will reject him for his apparent cowardice. Dooku instead said that it was very wise, surprising Jinn. Smiling, Dooku explained that most Padawans would deny their fear, and even if they admitted it, they would not have Jinn's self-knowledge. Dooku further praised Jinn for his honesty, insight, and intelligence.[8]

To help Jinn understand the Jedi Temple more completely, Dooku then took him throughout most of the Temple, including the Padawans' sparring dojo, and the one for full Jedi Knights, and the Great Assembly Room. Qui-Gon Jinn also saw the various meditation chambers, which he didn't find as exciting, but still interesting. Jinn, on the other hand, spent long minutes in the arboretum, wandering through the trees, ferns, and flowers of a thousand different worlds. Their last stop was the Jedi Archives, where they examined holocrons of various eras, not to study them, but simply for Jinn to learn his way around. While doing so, a particularly old holocron, more ancient and of a different shape than the rest, caught Jinn's eye. When he questioned his Master about it, he was shocked by the expression on Dooku's face, almost as if he considered it an enemy. Dooku answered that it was a holocron of Jedi prophecies. Jinn asked if there are Jedi prophets, to which Dooku replied not any longer. He explained to Jinn that the mystics sought undue knowledge of the future which led them down dangerous paths. Those drawn too deeply into them were often tempted by the dark side. Dooku then finished by saying that is why the Jedi study prophecy no longer, then turned to leave, which meant Jinn had to follow. Jinn then asked Dooku if just wanting to know the future can lead to the dark side. Dooku replied that it takes more than that. This was Qui-Gon Jinn's first encounter with the holocron of prophecies, it would not be the last.[8]

After four months as a Padawan, the Council sent him with his Master to Shurrupak to participate in a battle on its surface, which was Qui-Gon's very first. While the shuttle they were in approached the planet under heavy fire, a nervous Jinn reassured himself that he was ready for battle, looking to his Master Dooku as an example to aspire to as a fearless Jedi. As they arrived at Primus Base, Qui-Gon had his first meeting with Rael Averross, Dooku's first Padawan and a famous lightsaber duelist. After greeting each other heartily, Dooku introduced Rael to his new Padawan. While Dooku then conferred with the generals, Rael put one hand on the still nervous Jinn's shoulder. Rather than comforting Jinn about the battle, which would've embarrassed him, Rael instead commented that Dooku is a hard person to get to know and offered to help Qui-Gon out, since as Rael was Dooku's previous Padawan, Qui-Gon could come to him for any questions that he might not feel comfortable asking Dooku yet, and to be his sparring partner if he wanted. With his first battle looming ahead, Qui-Gon accepted his offer. As they too went to talk to the generals, Qui-Gon felt as though Rael Averross was the link between the Padawan he was and the Jedi Knight he desperately wished to be. He viewed his journey to be easier, now that he had a friend to show him the path.[8]

Sometime after that battle, Qui-Gon was doing homework in Dooku's quarters while his Master was in conference with an official from Badtibira. He then had a surprise visit from Rael Averross, who greeted Jinn warmly. Qui-Gon greeted him with a similar warmth, then asked what he was doing there. Rael explained that he had just returned from Shurrupak, then asked what was Jinn doing in Dooku's quarters since he wouldn't be returning for another few hours. Jinn explained that Dooku lets him do his homework in his quarters if he doesn't disturb him. In this case, Jinn was doing a report on the different schools of theosophy a century ago. Upon Rael's grimace and questioning, if he had angered Dooku in some way, Jinn admitted that he chose the topic despite knowing that it wouldn't be interesting because he thought it would be easy. It wasn't. Upon receiving a negative from Jinn if it was too late to change his topic, Rael grinned, and motioning for Qui-Gon to follow him, offered to show him some history worth studying. They went to the Jedi Archives, and together they studied the one and only holocron that had ever interested Jinn: the one that held the ancient prophecies. They were all fascinating to him and Qui-Gon kept reading, unable to stop. He asked Rael if the ancient mystics had these visions in trances, to which he confirmed. After contemplating these prophecies, Jinn remarked that Dooku said he shouldn't pay attention to this holocron and that he doesn't believe in the prophecies. This confused Rael since Dooku he said, was the one who introduced Rael to it and that it used to be that one could hardly pry the holocron out of his quarters. Qui-Gon said that he didn't know when or why that changed and that Dooku didn't explain. A surprised Rael said he's going to ask Dooku about it and remarked that a lot's changed about Dooku. Qui-Gon protested, surprising Rael, then said not until he's finished his report. Rael then laughed so loud he received a stern look from Jocasta Nu.[8]

Tracking Shenda Mol Edit

Jinn and his Jedi Master Dooku became part of a Numidian Prime strike team. They were assembled to track and find the notorious Falleen bounty hunter Shenda Mol. They eventually tracked her at her hideout on the planet Numidian Prime. While searching for her hideout, Jinn was captured by Mol. Right before Mol could kill Jinn, Dooku struck her down with Force lightning in an effort to save his apprentice, causing Jinn a degree of concern.[8]

Jinn later confided what Dooku did to Rael Averross, though at the time, Averross expressed that he was not all too concerned regarding his former master's conduct.[8] At some point in his life after the mission, Jinn went through trials on Felucia, and, although his commitment was tested, he ultimately stayed loyal to the Jedi Order.[12]

Becoming a Jedi Master Edit

Jinn went on to become a Jedi Master in his own right, one who developed an independent attitude towards the Jedi Order. He was seen as a maverick Jedi, one who would disobey the Jedi Code if he felt it was the right decision. Jinn eventually took on a Padawan of his own, Obi-Wan Kenobi, who believed that Jinn could have been a member of the Jedi High Council if he followed the Code,[4] though as Kenobi knew, Jinn had rejected an offer to join.[8] On one occasion, Jinn and Kenobi were sent on an extended mission to the planet Mandalore, where a civil war had been raging between various Mandalorian factions. Jinn and his Padawan were assigned to protect Duchess Satine Kryze of the pacifistic New Mandalorians faction, who had become a target for insurgents.[13]

Jinn and Kenobi spent a year on Mandalore, constantly on the run from bounty hunters targeting Kryze. During the mission, Kenobi developed romantic feelings for the Jedi's charge. Eventually, the civil war came to an end, with the New Mandalorians coming to power and Kryze becoming the ruler of Mandalore.[13] Jinn had at least some contact with his old Master after taking on Kenobi and spoke highly of his Padawan to Dooku.[9] At one point, Jinn and Kenobi traveled to the planet Lah'mu to visit a fortress.[8]

Mission to Pijal Edit

"I've never been to Pijal." ―Qui-Gon Jinn [src]

A political dispute erupted on the Inner Rim planet Pijal circa 40 BBY. A performance troupe that had begun playing political pranks to protest the signing of a treaty that would end the absolute monarchy on Pijal and give more power to Czerka Corporation was thought to be making increasingly violent attacks nearing the treaty's signing. Jinn's old friend Rael Averross requested the assistance of Jinn and his Padawan Kenobi to bring an end to the dispute. Jinn and his Padawan discovered that Crown Princess Fanry had been building a military group called the blackguards, who were framing the Opposition in order to restore the full monarchy. It was also at this time that the Jedi High Council extended to Jinn an invitation to join their ranks (with Master Poli Dapatian stepping down by that month's end), though following the mission to Pijal, Jinn decided to turn down their offer.[8]

Discovering the secrets of life after death Edit

Sometime during his life, Jinn began discovering the secrets to manifesting his consciousness after death.[14] He traveled to a planet strong with the Force, a world that legend said was the birthplace of life and the origin of midi-chlorians. There, he learned from five Force Priestesses who had retained their own consciousness after death.[15] He learned that, when a living thing died, its life passed through the Living Force and into the Cosmic Force to become one with the Force. As the Living Force and Cosmic Force existed in tandem, it became possible to retain one's consciousness and physically manifest themselves after death. Jinn was considered worthy of the knowledge of eternal life and secretly began his training to fully unlock its mysteries.[14] He also learned from a Shaman of the Whills that achieving eternal consciousness required absolute selflessness.[5]

Rescuing Th'er Edit

"Obi-Wan! Ready the ship! The Priestess of Wood and I are heading your way." ―Qui-Gon Jinn to Obi-Wan Kenobi [src]

Jinn and Kenobi were sent to Bri'n to protect the Priestess Th'er of Wood from the Metal Clan. When the negotiations were cut short, Jinn took the Priestess to meet up with Kenobi aboard their shuttle. Despite Th'er's protests, Jinn took her to Coruscant in order to protect her.[16]

Guided by the Force Edit

"Yes. Charted long ago, but not considered important enough to have a designation. No evidence of technology but an abundance of life." ―Qui-Gon Jinn [src]

Jinn was guided to a world by the Force after the rescue of Th'er and felt the presence of the dark side. When Jinn entered a dark side monument, he had a Force vision but was able to break free from it once the light side found its way to him. He left the world, having concluded that violence could lead the Jedi to become what they claimed to fight against.[16]

Operating in the vicinity of Botor Edit

At some point prior to 32 BBY, Jinn and Kenobi were operating in the vicinity of a planet that served as a base of the Flesh Mongers pirate group, flying a pair of Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptors. The two received a message from the surface of the planet from Jedi Master Yoda, who was asking for assistance. Landing on the planet, Jinn and Kenobi discovered that Yoda had taken out the entire pirate gang in order to rescue a young Force-sensitive child, known as Lo, as the pirate had planned to sell him due to his abilities in the Force.[17]

Jinn and Kenobi were asked by Yoda to escort the infant to the Jedi Temple, with Yoda assuring Lo that he was in safe hands with Jinn. Jinn expressed that he was happy to help out as they had been so close. While the two conversed, Kenobi took particular interest in the fact that Yoda had taken out an entire room of pirates, and was totally in awe. Jinn then proceeded to ask Yoda if everything was all right, to which the revered master replied that he could sense a calling disturbance in the Force that he felt he must follow. Jinn noted that he could not feel the presence himself but offered to join him on his quest if he so wanted. As Yoda climbed into his starship, he responded that he felt it was simply a calling for him alone and embarked on a mission to a planet in the Vagadarr system, where he became involved in a tribal war between the planet's native inhabitants.[17]

Helping Mace Windu Edit

Sometime later, Jedi Master Mace Windu was sent to the planet Oosalon to search for several Padawans who had been kidnapped by the warlord Guattako. Eventually, Windu was able to defeat all of Guattako's army and Guattako was killed by a young Jedi. Shortly after Jinn, Plo Koon, and Depa Billaba arrived to help.[18]

War on Naboo Edit

Failed negotiations Edit

"The situation here is not what it seems. There is something else behind all this, Your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you." ―Qui-Gon Jinn, to Queen Amidala Listen (file info) [src]

Ten years prior to the outbreak of the Clone Wars, the Trade Federation blockaded Naboo and planned to invade it in retaliation for the Galactic Republic's taxation of trade routes in outlying star systems. Unknown to the Republic, the Federation was controlled by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious—secretly Naboo's Senator Palpatine—who engineered the conflict so he could be elected Supreme Chancellor. Then-Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum dispatched Jinn and Kenobi to Naboo, tasking them with resolving the situation through diplomatic means.[4]

Upon arriving at the Trade Federation command ship, Jinn and Kenobi were escorted into a conference room, where they were told that Viceroy Nute Gunray would greet them. As the Jedi were waiting, the Federation leaders contacted Darth Sidious, informing him that the Chancellor's ambassadors were Jedi Knights. Sidious ordered their execution, while Jinn could sense the fear that the Neimoidians felt. This let Jinn know that this was not a normal trade dispute. These suspicions were confirmed when the Federation flooded the conference room with poison gas in an attempt to kill the Jedi, but the two were able to hold their breath long enough for the Federation to open the doors and inadvertently give the Jedi a chance to escape. They fought off the battle droids waiting outside the door and fled through the corridors, where they made their way into the ventilation system.[4]

Moving through the ventilation shafts, the Jedi made their way to the hangar, where they saw the Federation Army preparing to mount an invasion of the planet. The Jedi stowed away aboard separate ships, which made their way to the planet's surface and planned to warn the Naboo that the invasion was coming. Once on the surface, Jinn ventured through a forest to rendezvous with Kenobi. It was there that the Jedi master encountered a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks, who latched onto him in the chaos of the Federation invasion. This nearly got them both killed, as they fell to the ground just in time to avoid being run over by a Federation troop carrier. Binks swore a life debt to Jinn for saving him, as Jinn tried to get rid of the Gungan. He finally rendezvoused with Kenobi and planned to find shelter, which Binks offered to give them in the Gungan city beneath the ocean. The Gungan momentarily changed his mind, revealing that he had been exiled and would be punished for returning, but Jinn and Kenobi convinced him to take them to the city to avoid the approaching Federation forces.[4]

Binks led the two Jedi into the Gungan city, where they were immediately apprehended and brought before the Gungan leaders. Jinn attempted to persuade Boss Nass, the Gungan leader, that the Federation posed a threat to them just as much as they threatened Naboo, but Gungan prejudices against the Naboo were too strong for the Boss to care what happened on the surface. The Jedi Master used the Force to telepathically persuade Nass to give them a bongo aquatic transport that the Jedi could use to reach Theed, the capital of Naboo. Nass was also persuaded to allow Binks to travel with them, as Jinn, claiming the custom of the life debt, believed the Gungan could be a guide to make it through the planet core and to the capital.[4]

After traveling through the core and evading multiple large sea creatures, they arrived in Theed and rescued Queen Padmé Amidala, who had been taken into Federation custody. Together, along with a number of the queen's guards and handmaidens, they made their way to a hangar to take the queen's starship off of Naboo. They were able to board the ship after fighting through a number of battle droids, and took the vessel into orbit where they encountered the Federation blockade. They managed to escape the blockade, but the ship was damaged and needed to be set down for repairs. Jinn suggested that they land on Tatooine, a desert planet where the Hutts ruled and the Federation had no presence. Although the queen's lead guard, Panaka, objected because of the danger posed by the Hutts, the decision was made to seek refuge on Tatooine.[4]

Discovery of the Chosen One Edit

"Finding him was the will of the Force. I have no doubt of that." ―Qui-Gon Jinn to the Jedi High Council Listen (file info) [src]

The ship landed on Tatooine, and the crew determined that they were in need of a new hyperdrive generator in order to make it to their final destination of Coruscant, the capital of the Republic. Jinn decided to venture out into the local settlement to find a store that would sell a generator and brought Amidala—masquerading as a royal handmaiden—and Binks along with him. They arrived at a shop owned by a Toydarian junk dealer, Watto, who had the parts they needed but would not accept Republic credits for payment. Jinn attempted to telepathically persuade him that credits would be acceptable, but the Toydarian was immune to Jedi mind tricks. Jinn left empty-handed, but not before meeting Anakin Skywalker, a young boy who was a slave of Watto's.[4]

Skywalker followed Jinn and the others, where he warned them that a sandstorm was coming and that they would need to find shelter. The boy knew the group would not make it back to their ship in time and brought them back to his home, where he introduced them to his mother, Shmi, who was also one of Watto's slaves. They all shared dinner together, where Skywalker deduced that Jinn was a Jedi, having seen his lightsaber. Jinn revealed that he and the others were on an important mission for the Republic and stranded on Tatooine until they could repair their ship. Knowing that it could help them escape, Skywalker volunteered to help by racing in the Boonta Eve Classic podrace and give them the profits to repair their ship if he won. Jinn accepted the offer, though Amidala was unconvinced that trusting their fate to someone they barely knew was the right course.[4]

The next day, Jinn spoke to Watto about entering Skywalker in the race with a pod that Skywalker had built in secret, and Jinn convinced Watto that it was the Jedi's pod. The two agreed that Watto would pay Skywalker's entry fee and collect all of the winnings from a potential victory, except for whatever money Jinn needed to repair his ship. If Skywalker lost, Watto would keep the queen's ship. Watto agreed to the condition, and Skywalker set out to begin getting his pod race-ready.[4]

It was in watching Skywalker work on his pod that Jinn told Shmi he could sense the potential of a Jedi in the boy. Jinn wondered who Skywalker's father was, and was intrigued to hear Shmi had conceived her son without a father. Later that night, Jinn tested the boy's midi-chlorian count and sent the sample to Kenobi on the queen's ship, who told his master that Skywalker's midi-chlorian count was over 20,000—higher than any known Jedi. Through the supposed virgin birth and the midi-chlorian count, Jinn came to believe that Skywalker was the Chosen One of Jedi prophecy, a being who would bring balance to the Force.[4]

With the belief that Skywalker was the Chosen One, Jinn knew that Skywalker should be brought to the Jedi temple on Coruscant so he could be trained as a Jedi. Jinn approached Watto with a new wager: if the boy was to win, Watto would free Skywalker and his mother. Watto scoffed at the idea of freeing two slaves, but he did agree to release one if Skywalker won. However, he left it up to chance, and threw a small multi-colored cube; if it landed on blue, Skywalker would be the slave in question. Jinn used the Force to help it land on blue, and Watto agreed that Skywalker would be freed if he won the race—but, according to Watto, the Dug racer Sebulba was sure to win.[4]

The race began later that day and Skywalker emerged victoriously. Watto, who lost everything betting on Sebulba, freed the boy as per their agreement. Jinn took what profits he needed to repair the ship and gave the rest to Skywalker and his mother, and told them that Skywalker had been freed and could go with him to Coruscant to become a Jedi. Skywalker was unsure about leaving his mother, but he had always dreamed of becoming a Jedi and decided to leave. After Skywalker shared a tearful goodbye with his mother, Jinn and the boy set off for the queen's ship to make their way to Coruscant.[4]

Just before arriving at the ship, Jinn was attacked by Darth Maul, a Sith Lord and the apprentice of Darth Sidious. The two fought across the desert floor while Skywalker rushed back to the ship to find help, and the ship made its way to Jinn's location where he was able to board it and flee Tatooine, leaving Darth Maul behind. Once on board, he introduced Skywalker to Kenobi.[4]

With its hyperdrive repaired, the ship finally arrived on Coruscant, where the crew was greeted by Chancellor Valorum and Senator Palpatine. After arriving, Jinn went before the Jedi Council and told the Jedi Masters that he believed Darth Maul was a Sith Lord. The Council was dubious of the claim, as the Order believed they had destroyed the Sith a millennium earlier, but they committed themselves to learn Darth Maul's identity. Jinn also revealed that he had discovered Skywalker on Tatooine and believed him to be the Chosen One, asking that the boy be trained as a Jedi. At Jinn's request, the Council agreed to test Skywalker to determine if he was eligible for training. Kenobi was skeptical that Skywalker would pass the test given his age, as Jedi began their training at infancy, and worried that Jinn would defy whatever decision the Council made. Despite his Padawan's concerns, Jinn was determined to see Skywalker become a Jedi Knight.[4]

The Council tested Skywalker and agreed with Jinn that he was exceptionally powerful with the Force, but declined to accept him for training. They believed that despite his power, he was too old to begin training and dangerously full of fear and anger.[6] Nonetheless, Jinn insisted that Skywalker be trained, saying he would take the boy as his Padawan learner. Kenobi, meanwhile, could take his Jedi Trials and become a Jedi Knight, as the Jedi Code forbade a Jedi from having two Padawans. The Council tabled the discussion for another time and ordered that Jinn and Kenobi return to Naboo, where Queen Amidala was preparing to return to in order to deal with the invasion without the Senate's help. Jinn took Skywalker with him and began giving him some initial lessons about the Force.[4]

The Duel of the Fates Edit

"Obi-Wan. Promise…Promise me you will train the boy."

"Yes, Master."

"He…is the Chosen One. He…will bring balance. Train him…" ―Jinn's dying request to Kenobi Listen (file info) [src]

Upon arrival on Naboo, the Jedi traveled with Amidala to find the Gungans, who were hiding in a sacred area of the forests. There, the Naboo and Gungans formed an alliance to fight the Federation, while the queen's handmaiden Padmé revealed herself to be the true Amidala, having masqueraded as a servant with one of the handmaidens portraying the queen as a safety precaution.[4] Jinn, for his part, had not been fooled by the Queen's disguise since their first meeting but had gone along with the charade for reasons of his own, one of which presumably included safeguarding the queen's life.[19] Together with the Jedi and the Gungans, Amidala put together a plan of attack, where the Gungans would fight the Federation army away from Theed as a diversion, allowing Amidala, her forces, and the Jedi to get into the city with relatively little opposition. Jinn made it clear, however, that while he would protect the queen, he could not fight a war for her.[4]

As the Gungan army led the bulk of the Federation forces away from the city, Jinn snuck into Theed with the others and fought their way to the palace. Once in the hangar, they were again confronted by Darth Maul, who the two Jedi prepared to fight as the Naboo fought their way to the throne room to capture Viceroy Gunray. Jinn and Kenobi fought Maul in the hangar, with the Sith Lord dominating the duel, though Maul did give ground in order to lead the Jedi out of the hangar and throughout a palace generator complex. Maul separated the two Jedi by knocking Kenobi down several levels and eventually trapping him behind shielding, leaving Jinn to fight the Sith Lord in single combat without his apprentice. As they made their way through the area, the two combatants were evenly matched; eventually, however, Maul countered Jinn with a physical strike from his lightsaber hilt and seizing the opportunity while Jinn was off-balance, fatally stabbing the Jedi Master through the torso as his Padawan watched in horror from behind the shielding.[4]

When Kenobi was finally able to reach Maul, he and the Sith Lord engaged in a furious battle, with Kenobi grieving for his master and friend. Maul was able to disarm and knock Kenobi partly down a reactor shaft and kick his lightsaber into it before Kenobi used the Force to summon his master's lightsaber, jump out of the pit and slice the blade through Maul's torso in one swift movement; cutting him in half and sending him tumbling down the shaft. The Padawan ran to his dying master, cradling him in his arms, and Jinn made his apprentice promise that he would train with Skywalker as a Jedi. With his dying breath, Jinn once again said that Skywalker was the Chosen One and would bring balance to the Force.[4]

In the aftermath of the battle, in which the Naboo successfully captured the Viceroy and ended the Federation occupation, Kenobi was granted the rank of Jedi Knight and insisted on taking Skywalker as his apprentice. Although Yoda disagreed, the Council approved Kenobi's request, fulfilling Jinn's dying wish: Skywalker would be trained as a Jedi. Later, Jinn was given a Jedi funeral on Naboo, where his body was burned on a funeral pyre. The funeral was attended by a number of delegates including Queen Amidala, the Jedi Council, and Chancellor Palpatine. It was at the funeral that Kenobi told Skywalker that the Council would allow him to be trained and that Kenobi would be his master. Together, the two mourned the death of their fallen friend, as Kenobi vowed that Skywalker would become a Jedi.[4] Kenobi upheld his vow to Jinn dutifully over the years. At one point, when Skywalker was considering leaving the Jedi Order at the age of twelve, Kenobi was intent on following suit, but he was still going to complete the boy's training even outside the Order. Skywalker, however, chose to remain a Jedi in the aftermath of a mission to the planet Carnelion IV.[20]

Returning as a spirit Edit

"It is I, Qui-Gon Jinn."

"That cannot be. Dead, you are."

"No. I am part of the Living Force, Yoda." ―Jinn communes to Yoda during the Clone Wars [src]

Though his training had been incomplete, Jinn utilized what he learned from the Force Priestesses to become one with the Force and retain his identity after his death. He had not fully learned the mystery, however, so he could not physically manifest himself, only speak as a disembodied voice.[14] The first known time that Jinn communicated through the Force was approximately ten years after the events on Naboo. Skywalker had returned to Tatooine to find his mother, about whom he had been having recurring nightmares, and discovered she had been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders. He found her in a Tusken camp, but she died only moments later. In his anger, Skywalker slaughtered all the Tuskens in the camp. Jinn, sensing the great pain and distress, called out to Skywalker through the Force, which Yoda could hear—but not comprehend—through his own meditations. However, Jinn's pleas were for naught, as Skywalker didn't heed his words in his uncontrolled rage.[9]

In the meantime, Kenobi was captured on the planet Geonosis by Dooku, who had left the Jedi Order and had become the leader of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. While interrogating Kenobi, Dooku—who was also secretly a Sith Lord—expressed his belief that Jinn would have joined his cause if he had been alive. Shortly thereafter, a conflict known as the Clone Wars began between the Galactic Republic and Dooku's Confederacy.[9] During that conflict, Skywalker was promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight and was assigned a Padawan of his own, the Togruta Ahsoka Tano, to whom he recited Jinn's teachings on at least one occasion.[21]

Due to his incomplete training, Jin's spirit could not manifest himself in a physical way, much as he occurred in a vision on one known occasion.[22] Kenobi, Skywalker, and Tano, had been lured to the planet Mortis by three beings known as the Father, Son, and Daughter. These beings believed that Skywalker was the Chosen One, as did Jinn, whose vision first appeared to Kenobi to warn him that the beings sought Skywalker and his potential as the Chosen One, to use it for their own means. When Kenobi questioned how Jinn could appear, the figure told him that the planet acted as an amplifier and that it was a conduit through which the Force flowed. The two spoke about Skywalker and his power, with Kenobi having the opportunity to tell Jinn that the late Jedi Master's predictions about Skywalker were true: he was stronger than any other Jedi, yet still could not find balance. Jinn warned that, if Skywalker was the Chosen One, then the boy would discover it on Mortis, and if not then the planet would prove to be very dangerous for someone so powerful.[23] Jinn's vision was later experienced by Skywalker himself. The figure of the late Jedi informed him that he still believed the boy would bring balance to the Force after facing his demons.[24]

After the three Jedi escaped Mortis, where the Father professed his belief that Skywalker was the Chosen One,[24] Although it had truly been Jinn who appeared before them,[25] Kenobi came to believe, and told the Jedi Council, that the appearance of his old mentor was simply an illusion, one manifested from their memories by the beings on Mortis. Skywalker, however, was not as confident, despite Jedi teachings saying that it was impossible for a being to retain their identity after death. The report about Mortis did not change these Jedi beliefs or teachings.[14] The Clone Wars also saw the return of Jinn's murderer, Darth Maul. Believed to have been killed by Kenobi on Naboo, Maul had in fact survived, replacing his lower body with a cybernetic apparatus.[26] Maul sought revenge on Kenobi for maiming him, and the two fought on several occasions.[27][28][29] Nevertheless, Maul would go on to survive the Clone Wars.[30]

It was not until the waning days of the Clone Wars that Yoda learned Jinn had retained his consciousness after death. Knowing Yoda was destined to be a major player in bringing balance to the Force, and that it was Yoda's destiny to complete the training Jinn himself did not, the late Jedi Master spoke to Yoda through the Force and guided him to Dagobah, the first leg on Yoda's trials to determine whether he was ready to learn the secrets. Jinn told Yoda about his training, and how the Living Force fed into the Cosmic Force, allowing him to return after death. Yoda was, at first, only interested in the truth about the Clone Wars, asking if he knew the identity of Darth Sidious, but Jinn could only guide Yoda through his trials. Yoda was guided by the Living Force in the form of a glowing swarm of fireflies. Later they guided Yoda to the planet of the Force Priestesses, where Yoda could continue his trial.[14]

Yoda completed the trials and was deemed worthy of learning the secret of eternal consciousness,[10] as Yoda would one day train the person who would help Skywalker bring balance to the Force.[31] The Force Priestesses instructed that Jinn would guide Yoda's training.[10] After the end of the Clone Wars and the fall of the Jedi Order, Yoda chose to go into exile on Dagobah, but not before telling Kenobi that Jinn had returned from the netherworld of the Force and could guide his former Padawan in learning the secret.[32]

Postmortem and legacy Edit

"We stand behind you, Rey." ―Qui-Gon speaks to Rey [src]

The end of the Clone Wars also saw the fall of Anakin Skywalker, who was seduced to the dark side of the Force by Darth Sidious and had become the Sith Lord Darth Vader.[32] The fall confirmed the Council's fears about Skywalker's training,[4] but he was still the Chosen One.[33] During Obi-Wan Kenobi's self-imposed exile on Tatooine, he frequently dwelled upon his failure to train Skywalker, and one such time during meditation he felt himself phase out of reality for a few moments. During this time he felt Jinn commune through the Force with him, with his old Jedi Master telling him to let go.[34] In the years after the Clone Wars, Kenobi and Yoda both completed their training to retain their consciousness after death.[35]

During his time on Tatooine, Kenobi continued to speak with Jinn, telling him about the hardships of living in exile and Skywalker's possible destiny of the Chosen One.[36][37] During an encounter with the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan, Kenobi called upon his Master to give him strength to defeat the foe.[38] Kenobi finally killed a resurgent Darth Maul in a duel on Tatooine in 2 BBY, using Jinn's Ataru stance to defend himself against Maul.[39] In 1 BBY, Jinn's voice was heard by Padawan Ezra Bridger during his mission to a place that existed between time and space.[40] One year later, Jinn was compelled to appear after hearing Kenobi call his name, taking on the exact same appearance that he had carried in life. Kenobi asked for his guidance, as he feared that the Galactic Empire would capture Luke Skywalker, Anakin's son, upon his return to the Lars moisture farm. Jinn informed him that he had seen Luke's destiny go beyond those circumstances and that he had failed his padawan long ago. He then told Kenobi that he had made the right choice in choosing not to tell Luke everything about Anakin. Kenobi brought forth notice upon Jinn's appearance which was very nearly corporeal. Jinn illuminated him in some of the ways he had managed it, all the while considering that Kenobi did not have long to live. Afterwards, he bade farewell and disappeared.[41]

Some hours later, Kenobi sacrificed himself to save Luke and was struck down by Darth Vader.[42] Though worried about not completing Luke's training, Kenobi heard Jinn's voice telling him to lay down his life so that Luke can escape.[43] After his death, Kenobi first appeared as a disembodied voice, telling Luke to flee the Death Star with his friends, and then later to guide Luke through the Battle of Yavin.[42]

In the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin, Vader was shot down over the planet Vrogas Vas. During a confrontation with Rebel Alliance forces on the planet, Vader found an ancient Jedi Temple, where he heard disembodied voices of people from his past, including Jinn.[44] A few years later, Kenobi appeared as a physical spirit to tell Luke to train with Yoda on Dagobah. He continued to manifest himself to help guide Luke through his training.[35]

It was on Dagobah that Yoda fulfilled the destiny first spoken of by the Force Priestesses,[31] training Luke to become a Jedi Knight.[35] Yoda died shortly thereafter and passed on into the Force, where he retained his identity. Through the training Yoda gave Luke, the boy confronted and redeemed his father from the dark side, and Anakin killed Darth Sidious. Through this act, and through his own death, Anakin helped defeat the Galactic Empire, brought balance to the Force, and was able to return as a spirit as well. By killing Sidious and sacrificing himself, Jinn's strongly-held belief was finally proven true: Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One.[33]

In the years following Anakin's redemption and fulfillment of the prophecy, Luke embarked on a quest to rediscover the forgotten history of the Jedi Order in hopes to reestablish it. In his search for Jedi knowledge, Luke learned about the life of Jinn, his relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi, his encounter with the Force Priestesses and the role he played in his father's training. While Jinn was not related to the Skywalkers by blood, his close connection to the family was noted by Luke in his book The Secrets of the Jedi, which chronicled the Jedi Order's history.[45]

In 35 ABY, during the battle of Exegol, Jinn's voice was heard by Rey among the voices of many Jedi of the past who aided her with destroying the resurrected Darth Sidious once and for all. "Every Jedi who ever lived lives in you," he told her, adding that they stood behind her.[46]

Personality and traits Edit

"Do not defy the Council, Master, not again."

"I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan." ―Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn Listen (file info) [src]

Qui-Gon Jinn was a human male who stood 1.93 meters tall[5] and had light skin, blue eyes, and long, brown hair. Though he had risen to the rank of Jedi Master, Jinn did not always agree with the structures and rules of the Jedi Order. He was known to disobey the Jedi Code if he felt he needed to, and was willing to rebuff the Jedi Council when they declined to train Skywalker.[4] After Jinn's old master, Dooku, fell to the dark side and became the Sith Lord Darth Tyranus, Dooku told Kenobi that he wished Jinn were still alive so the late Jedi Master could have helped him with the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Kenobi rejected the idea that Jinn would have joined Dooku, but Dooku told Kenobi that Jinn knew about the corruption in the Galactic Senate and might have joined the Separatist cause—especially if he had learned that the Republic was under the control of Darth Sidious, though Dooku did not tell Kenobi that the Separatists were also under Sith control.[4]

While other Jedi focused on meditation to try to understand the future, Jinn lived in the moment.[5] He believed that one's focus on the future should not compromise the concentration on the present, and believed in trusting one's instincts.[4] Even after his death and return as a spirit, Jinn was confronted with Jedi thinking only of the future[source?]; he guided Yoda through Dagobah to learn the secret of eternal consciousness, but Yoda was interested in knowing if Jinn, existing outside of normal time, could tell him the true identity of Darth Sidious. Although Jinn hinted that he knew the truth, he explained he could only guide Yoda towards greater knowledge, not provide him with the answers.[14] Jinn's belief that Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One looked both at the future and in the moment. Though he acknowledged that Skywalker's future contained an uncertain destiny, he did not dwell on the danger that the Council saw in Skywalker's potential.[4] Qui-Gon Jinn had an empathetic nature and had a tendency to take unfortunate life forms under his protection. It was this tendency, as well as his defiance towards the Jedi Council, that often frustrated and baffled his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. When Jinn saved the Gungan exile Jar Jar Binks, and Binks swore a life-debt to him, his compassionate nature was such that Jinn took the hapless Gungan under his wing, much to Kenobi's dismay. This empathy toward all life forms, including the most pitiful and unfortunate, was Jinn's greatest strength.[1]

Jinn's training to retain his identity after death led him to new philosophies, ones unknown to the Jedi Order of the time.[source?] Jinn learned that there were two sides to the Force, a Living Force channeled by the energies of all living beings, and the Cosmic Force into which it fed. It was this symbiotic relationship that allowed the Force to bind the galaxy together, and speak to living beings through the midi-chlorians.[14]

Powers and abilities Edit

"Show yourself, can you?"

"I cannot. My training was incomplete. All energy from the Living Force, from all things that have ever lived, feeds into the Cosmic Force, binding everything and communicating to us through the midi-chlorians. Because of this, I can speak to you now." ―Yoda communes with Jinn on Dagobah about eternal consciousness [src]

Like other Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn was sensitive to and had an affinity for the Force. He utilized telekinesis and mind tricks on more than one occasion, using them to help further his goals during the Trade Federation's occupation of Naboo and while attempting to free Skywalker from slavery. Jinn was skilled with a lightsaber, able to use his blade to easily defeat battle droids on Naboo and hold his own in his first duel with Darth Maul. He was not, however, skilled enough to survive his second encounter with Darth Maul, as the Sith Lord out-fought the Jedi Master and mortally wounded him after a prolonged fight.[4]

The ability to manifest consciousness after death was, for a time, a skill that other Jedi did not know. Jinn kept his training with the Force Priestesses a secret, and the Jedi Order continued to believe that death was permanent and identity could not be retained. It was not until towards the Clone Wars that Jinn revealed himself to Yoda, despite his training being incomplete at the time, and Jinn told the Jedi Master that he too could learn to return from death through the Cosmic Force.[14] Jinn passed these teachings on to Yoda and Kenobi, who used it and the new philosophies they learned to help guide Luke Skywalker towards his destiny.[33]

Behind the scenes Edit

"He's almost like a monk, an old-time warrior who is wise and quite philosophical, yet very skilled in martial arts. He has incredible confidence, as well as a magical quality that enables him to see into the future. He's not really a rebel, but he has his own code." ―Liam Neeson's thoughts on his character, Qui-Gon Jinn [src]

Qui-Gon Jinn was portrayed by Liam Neeson in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. The actor reprised his role in three episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars—"Overlords," "Ghosts of Mortis," and "Voices"—and audio from his appearance in The Phantom Menace could briefly be heard in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Neeson was also set to lend his voice to Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, and Neeson had hinted at his involvement in early 2005.[47] The scene, in which Yoda was set to commune with Jinn's disembodied voice, was cut from the film but was written for the screenplay. The scene appeared in the film's novelization.[48]

Neeson reprised his role again in 2019 in a brief audio cameo in Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker, the final film of the Skywalker saga.[46]

Compared to the final screenplay, early drafts of The Phantom Menace did not have Qui-Gon Jinn joining Obi-Wan Kenobi until much later in the film, leaving Kenobi as the sole Jedi participant through many of the film's early events, such as the failed negotiations aboard the Trade Federation flagship. Additionally, the final screenplay described Qui-Gon Jinn as being in his 60s, far older than actor Liam Neeson was at the time.[49]

Appearances Edit

Non-canon appearances Edit

Sources Edit

Notes and references Edit