Star Wars & Wheel of Time: Jedi & Aes Sedai

[Boreas Silverfir]

Was talking about the final episode of season 2 and made the comment that Obi Wan Kenobi has a bit of the Oath of Truth in him when he says "What I said was true, from a certain point of view."
This naturally grabbed the attention of @Megana Vallentin and probably @Ashara Koh'inor too. So in the spirit of discussion, I present a happy place where we can consider the similarities and differences between the Jedi Order and the Aes Sedai Tower.

Which come to think of it there are a good number of similarities. Both look for new members who have the ability born in them and are below the age of majority. Both are highly respected within the universe community. The list goes on.

 

[Ruslan Rynar]

I'd push back on the highly respected part. In the Star Wars universe, the Jedi are respected. Even when they are not liked, there is still a level of respect. However, there are plenty of cultures from the WoT universe where the Aes Sedai are tolerated at best and at least one where they are openly hunted.

In place of respect, it might be better to say that in both universes, their powers (magic) are respected, feared, and misunderstood all at once.

 

[Megana Vallentin]

My brain level:
- JEDI sounds like SEDAI
- THE FORCE sounds like THE SOURCE



Okay let me try a little harder...

One of the things that I think about a lot as a fan who doesn't know the EU is that my knowledge of the Jedi is pretty much as:
- generals/warriors
- exiles
- upstart kids calling themselves Jedi when they haven't had full training
(I haven't really gotten a chance to get into the High Republic stuff that's come out in recent years, though I'd like to.)

What did Jedi do before they had to be warriors and then the whole order fell apart? Did they have a variety of roles similar to Aes Sedai of the different Ajahs? (I mean, beyond just lightsaber colors I guess...or is that a fair parallel?) Was the Jedi order at that point more similar to the White Tower we see in the books?

I guess they have in common that they think anyone using the One Power/the Force that isn't part of their group is dangerous and probably evil?

 

[Linkelivar Miou'Mai]

Yes as a matter of fact they did. You had the Consulars, Sentinels, and Guardians, who each have counterparts in the canon timeline, as well.

 

[Ruslan Rynar]

Yes as a matter of fact they did. You had the Consulars, Sentinels, and Guardians, who each have counterparts in the canon timeline, as well.

Let's tease this out a bit. Would Ajahs fall into these groups? Certain Aes Sedia? Is an Aes Sedia ambassador a Consular or Sentinel? I think it could be argued both ways. In some ways, they are the diplomat who embodies the Consulars. But they are also keeping an eye on the country, which is more in line with the Sentinels.

• Consulars
  • Yellow
  • Brown
  • White
  • Gray
• Sentinels
  • Blue (b/c of the E&E network)
• Guardians
  • Green
  • Red

Thoughts?

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Can confirm, as a Gray sedai I always wanted a blue (guardian) lightsaber because it matches my jedi robes best, but realistically I think consular (green) fits me better.

 

[Linkelivar Miou'Mai]

I'm definitely a Guardian