Obi-Wan Kenobi's Covert Connection to the High Republic in Star Wars

Article Overview

Obi-Wan Kenobi's Hidden Path provides a refuge for Jedi who survived Order 66 and are being hunted by the Empire.

The Hidden Path is linked to the High Republic era and bears resemblance to the ancient Path of the Open Hand, a Force cult that sought to revamp Jedi traditions by advocating for their abandonment.

Star Wars has subtly connected Obi-Wan Kenobi's Hidden Path to the storytelling of the High Republic era. Obi-Wan depicted the struggles faced by Jedi and other Force-sensitives who survived Order 66. They lived in fear of exposing their abilities, relentlessly hunted by Darth Vader's Inquisitors, and left to confront their grief and trauma alone. Obi-Wan himself experienced similar challenges until he embarked on a galaxy-wide search for a young Leia Organa. During this journey, he discovered the Hidden Path, a covert network dedicated to rescuing those pursued by the Empire, particularly Jedi, and offering them a safe haven.

The Hidden Path has since gained significant importance in Star Wars storytelling. It plays a central role in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's narrative, where the game's main characters assist individuals on the planet Jedha until their base is destroyed. Ultimately, the protagonist Cal Kestis, a survivor of Order 66, discovers a hidden planet that serves as a perfect refuge. Although the Hidden Path was formed in response to the tragic events of Order 66, its overall concept bears an uncanny resemblance to a sinister society that existed more than 300 years prior to the events involving Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Obi-Wan Kenobi's Hidden Path Is Far Older Than It Seems

The High Republic is a time period in the Star Wars universe that predates the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace by centuries. This era is divided into three phases of storytelling. Phases I and III occur approximately 200 years before the prequel trilogy, while Phase II takes place even earlier, around 350 years before Anakin Skywalker is discovered on Tatooine. During the second phase of The High Republic, the Jedi are at the pinnacle of their power, venturing into the galaxy and promoting peace wherever necessary. Considering the significant time gap between The High Republic Phase II and Obi-Wan Kenobi, it's natural to question the connection between the two projects. According to the book Dawn of Rebellion: The Visual Guide by Pablo Hidalgo and Emily Shkoukani, the Hidden Path, a group that emerged as a response to the Great Jedi Purge and the rise of the Empire, draws inspiration from an ancient society that aimed to transform Jedi and Force-users into ordinary citizens by convincing them to abandon their practices.

This excerpt directly pertains to the Path of the Open Hand, a Force cult introduced in Justina Ireland's Phase II novel Path of Deceit. The Path of the Open Hand revered the Force, but believed that utilizing its power meant taking it away. If a Jedi used their abilities to save one life, another would perish. In response to this perceived threat, the Mother, leader of the Path of the Open Hand, determined that the only means of safeguarding the Force was to eliminate all those who wielded it. Similar to the Hidden Path, the Path of the Open Hand recruited members by extending sanctuary to refugees, orphans, and the exiled.

How Did The Path Of The Open Hand Become The Hidden Path?

Both the Path of the Open Hand and the Hidden Path offered solace and protection to individuals who faced hardships or were left to fend for themselves. The Path of the Open Hand achieved complete self-sustainability by establishing a vast compound on the planet Dalna, where they painstakingly constructed their own vessel, the Gaze Electric. Over time, their influence expanded, stretching even to Jedha. Meanwhile, the Hidden Path, said to be founded by a man named Kawlan Roken following the tragic murder of his wife by the Inquisitors, holds a significant association with Jedha.

In Jedi: Survivor, Cere Junda and Eno Cordova, Jedi who served the Hidden Path, established an archive on Jedha. It is possible that they stumbled upon references to the Path of the Open Hand and were influenced by the cult's surface-level goals and tactics, unaware of its true history. While the Hidden Path is not necessarily the successor of the Path of the Open Hand, their fundamental practices do bear similarities. Like the Path of the Open Hand, the Hidden Path actively seeks to spread its influence and secrets to distant worlds, aiming to recruit new members and ensure their safety. Obi-Wan Kenobi's Hidden Path shares similarities with the former, but its core beliefs are considerably less perilous.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find it incredibly exciting to discover the intriguing connections between Obi-Wan Kenobi's Hidden Path and the High Republic era in Star Wars. The revelation that the Hidden Path draws inspiration from an ancient society known as the Path of the Open Hand adds depth and richness to the overall narrative. It's fascinating to see how the themes of secrecy, survival, and the preservation of Jedi traditions echo across different time periods in the Star Wars universe.

The parallels between the Path of the Open Hand and the Hidden Path are particularly striking. Both groups sought to provide refuge and protection to those who were hunted or marginalized. The Path of the Open Hand aimed to transform Jedi and Force-users into ordinary citizens, while the Hidden Path rescues and shelters Jedi survivors of Order 66. This continuity of purpose suggests a larger, interconnected tapestry of events and philosophies within the Star Wars galaxy.