Lesson 4: Conflict

by Jedi Knight/Jedi Teacher Jonathan Tapp

This lesson is specially geared toward the recent loss of Jedi Kanen to the Dark Side, where he is now know as Master's Will. The story of the events that led up to this change is in the Battleground Jedi Forum under the heading "Dark Jedi Brakiss..." (although it later turns to "I am so sick of you"). So...why discuss this? What possible benefit does it have to us, the Light Jedi of the New Millenium? The saga of Kanen's downfall is full of lessons—if you know where to look.

Let us first look at the message thread. What follows is what was found under "I am so sick of you" I tried to give you a way out. I tried to get you to leave peacefully. But you're not going to do it, are you? Fine. None of you other Light Siders are going to do anything, are you? You're just going to sit there and let these Dark pukes destroy everything. They take our students, they interfere with our training, and we do nothing but sit around.

Walker, I can't wait any longer. I can't just sit here and do nothing while in between the times when you make your rare appearances. We need leadership, and we need it now. I played your game. I followed your rules, and you know what I found? That you're a coward that refuses to do anything to stop Brakiss and his Dark Siders. You're not fit to lead, and you're not a Jedi.

And as for the rest of the Light Jedi, shame on you all. You sit around, talking a great deal, but never doing anything. Well, I can't do it anymore. I can't sit by and let it all go to waste. I'm going to fight Brakiss. And when he's defeated, I will lead you all to an age where the Jedi shall flourish. I'll show you what it means to be a Jedi who isn't afraid.

And Karte, you're next.

Before any of you think I'm turning to the Dark Side or something, pull your head out of the sand. We've been attacked in every conceivable way. Wake up. We must defend ourselves. And I'm going to prove to you all that Brakiss is nothing. I welcome any of you to join my cause. After I defeat Brakiss, we'll start work on it, I promise.

Brakiss, I accept your challenge. I knew you lived close by me, but this works well. I live near the Wolfchase Galleria. You pick the battlefield. And by the way, I suggest using a real weapon. A rapier won't stand up to a katana. Or use what whatever you feel like, I don't care. I'm still going to beat you. Name the time and place, and I'll be there.

So, what does this message contain? Several challenges—both to the Dark and Light Jedi. The first challenge is to the Light Jedi to take an active role and lead. The second is to Brakiss for combat. The first is what we will focus on; the second will come later.

Kanen was right. Partly. The Light Jedi have for too long stood by and watched the Dark Jedi steal away pupils, all the while taunting us and our ways. The time is now to do something about that. This is a call to arms...of sorts. What needs to happen is know as "passive aggression": we aggressively pursue passive solutions. Redouble your training. Involve yourself more in the Praxeum. Find pupils and teach them. If you are a pupil, learn and pass it on to someone else.

The Dark Jedi are human, but they are still our enemies. Does that mean you shun them? No. Talk to them, treat them as equals yet opposites. As you begin to talk to them more, your resolve to the Light Side and your strength to resist the Dark will grow stronger. Does that mean you kill them? Absolutely not. Kanen chose the wrong way—he chose to attack physically rather than mentally. That was his downfall; he allowed his impatience to turn to anger and, later (if you believe the accounts) to turn to rage. Instead, attack them mentally; show them that you are not afraid of them. Gather your strength and present it to them. Increase your skills so that you cannot be bullied. Such 'aggression' is the key to the survival of the Jedi.