Star Wars The Lost Twenty Explained

What Occurs When a Jedi Master Departs the Jedi Order in Star Wars? The Lost Twenty Reveal the Answer.

The Lost Twenty: A Tragic Tale of Jedi Defection

Count Dooku

The vast lore of the Star Wars universe is a treasure trove of captivating stories, from epic battles to iconic characters. Yet, amidst all the thrilling sagas, there is one lesser-known group that holds significant importance: the Lost Twenty.

🎮 QUICK LINKS 🎮 – What Is The Lost Twenty?Who Are Notable Members Of The Lost Twenty?What Was Done About The Lost Twenty?

What Is The Lost Twenty?

The Lost Twenty is a tragic chapter in the history of the Jedi Order. When a powerful Jedi Master determines that their goals and ideals no longer align with those of the Order, they make the heart-wrenching decision to leave. This rare occurrence has only happened twenty times throughout the history of the Jedi.

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Imagine spending a significant portion of your life devoted to becoming a Jedi Master, only to feel compelled to walk away. The events of The Phantom Menace, particularly the death of the revered Qui-Gon Jinn, marked a turning point that led to the formation of the Lost Twenty.

A Jedi Master doesn’t necessarily need to be lured to the Dark Side of the Force to leave; however, it is a common occurrence given the immense skill of Jedi Masters. For a Jedi Master to become so disconnected from the Order, something must have gone terribly wrong. It could be a disagreement with the Order’s actions or a sense that they should take action when the Order chooses not to. These conflicts often pave the way for the allure of the Dark Side.

Who Are Notable Members Of The Lost Twenty?

Count Dooku

Currently, in the canon, there are only two named Jedi Masters who have abandoned the Jedi Order, with another sometimes mentioned alongside the Lost Twenty. The most infamous member is the feared Count Dooku, who turned his back on the Jedi to become Darth Tyranus. His opposition to the Jedi Order is well-known to fans of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the animated series, The Clone Wars. Count Dooku served as a loyal underling to Darth Sidious, eventually meeting his demise at the hands of Anakin Skywalker.

flowchart LR
A(Count Dooku's Exit)
B{A bit out of step?}
C(Leaves the Jedi Order)
A --> B
B --> C

Jocasta Nu, in a deleted scene from Attack of the Clones, perfectly encapsulates Count Dooku’s departure from the Jedi Order with the line, “Well, one might say he was always a bit out of step with the decisions of the Council.”

Another lesser-known member of the Lost Twenty is Jedi Master Trennis. While little information is available about Trennis, she, too, became disillusioned with the Jedi Order and departed, leaving her subsequent fate unknown.

An interesting twist to the Lost Twenty is the inclusion of Anakin Skywalker, who could be considered the “Lost Twenty-One.” Though he was never officially dubbed a Jedi Master, his placement on the Jedi Council, usually reserved for Jedi Masters, and his ability to rival and defeat them, led him to consider himself a Jedi Master in his own right. In the eyes of some, Anakin became a spiritual or honorary member of the Lost Twenty.

What Was Done About The Lost Twenty?

Anakin Skywalker

The Jedi Order faced a predicament when Jedi Masters chose to depart. Their philosophy of non-violence prevented them from using force to retain those who wished to leave. Consequently, training any Jedi to the level of Master became a profound risk.

However, the Jedi Order found a way to honor their fallen brethren. Each Jedi Master who left the order would have a bust of their likeness placed in the Jedi Temple Archives on the planet Coruscant.

It should be noted that those who abandoned the Jedi Order and turned to the Dark Side naturally became enemies of the Jedi. The Jedi actively fought against Count Dooku over the course of the Clone Wars, aiming to capture him. Eventually, a Jedi, Anakin Skywalker, proved to be Dooku’s downfall. However, the downfall of the Jedi Order itself, orchestrated by Palpatine and Anakin, prevented further action against defectors.

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💡 Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions 💡

Q: Are there any other notable members of the Lost Twenty besides Count Dooku and Trennis? A: Currently, in the canon, Count Dooku and Trennis are the only named Jedi Masters who abandoned the Jedi Order. However, it’s worth considering Anakin Skywalker as an honorary member due to his exceptional abilities and conflicts with the Order.

Q: What were the reasons behind Jedi Masters leaving the Order? A: Jedi Masters may have left the Order due to a variety of reasons. They might disagree with the way the Order operates or feel that the Order should take action when it chooses not to. Disillusionment and a sense of opposition to the Jedi’s principles could lead some Masters to seek alternative paths, even the Dark Side.

Q: Did the Jedi Order take any measures to prevent defections from the Lost Twenty? A: The Jedi Order, bound by their non-violent principles, did not forcibly retain those who chose to leave. Instead, they honored the fallen Jedi Masters by creating busts of their likenesses, which were placed in the Jedi Temple Archives. However, when Jedi defectors turned to the Dark Side, they became adversaries of the Jedi, who actively fought against them.

Q: Can we see the Lost Twenty jedi busts in Star Wars media? A: While the busts of the Lost Twenty are not prominently featured in Star Wars media, their existence is established in the lore. Fans can imagine these solemn tributes in the Jedi Temple Archives, a testament to those who once strode alongside the Jedi Order.


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