This Jedi Survived Order 66 In a Brilliant and Never-Before-Seen Way

As a die-hard Star Wars fan, I’ve always been captivated by the infamous galaxy-wide Jedi Purge that took place under Order 66. Often, we hear these stories from the perspectives of those who battled, escaped, or unfortunately fell to the Empire’s rising power. The fallen Jedi even transformed into Jedi-hunters or high-ranking Imperial officials themselves.

But a fresh comic series, Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #7, penned by Charles Soule with art by Luke Ross, presents a rare survivor who chose a path less traveled – one of cunning instead of confrontation. An elderly former Jedi named Grandea narrates a survival tale unlike any other in the Star Wars universe; one that doesn’t rely on a lightsaber’s blade but on the subtle power of the mind.

This new take offers a fascinating twist on a Jedi’s post-Order 66 existence; one that cleverly employs a core Jedi ability in a way that fits seamlessly into this clandestine era. It’s a must-read for any Star Wars enthusiast!

Grandea’s approach brings a new angle to a frequently explored aspect of the Star Wars lore, implying that a Jedi’s most powerful tool isn’t necessarily what one might assume.

A Jedi’s Survival Hinged on an Tried and True Technique


In a unique twist during Order 66, Grandea’s survival story stands out as she opted to forgo conventional Jedi weapons and instead employed a less orthodox technique, often perceived as beneath a Jedi’s dignity by the Jedi Order. Instead of her lightsaber, Grandea managed to evade the initial clonetrooper attack with an unexpected weapon, catching her enemies off guard. This unconventional method, known as the Jedi mind trick, was often dismissed within the Order for being undignified and inappropriate. However, Grandea had always been intrigued by this technique and disagreed with the Order’s dismissive attitude towards it. She recognized its value as a vital asset in a Jedi’s toolkit and employed it effectively, thereby surviving while many who relied solely on their lightsabers perished.

In other words, Grandea’s clever use of a mental strategy helped her evade the initial massacre during the Purge and elude capture in its chaotic aftermath. Though the clones had been ordered to hunt down and eliminate all Jedi, Grandea managed to persuade them that she wasn’t a Jedi by pretending to be something else. Recognizing that fighting back was futile against the overwhelming numbers of the Imperial army, especially given the deaths of her fellow Jedi, she opted for a less honorable approach to outmaneuver her adversaries and make it through the day that marked the end of the Jedi Order. Her survival story underscores the notion that a Jedi’s power isn’t solely derived from their physical prowess but also from their intelligence and adaptability.

Grandea’s survival strategy was rooted in her forward-thinking mindset and her courage to diverge from the paths chosen by her companions. Following the initial purge, she received a cryptic message from Coruscant, delivered by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which merely advised the Jedi to rely on the Force for survival without providing any additional guidance or assistance.

This ambiguous communication led Grandea to believe that her Jedi days were over, as the Force guided her towards this conclusion. She comprehended that surviving meant giving up her identity as a Jedi, but this was not sufficient, given that Emperor Palpatine immediately issued bounties for Jedi. As she put it, “the danger did not cease with Order 66,” and she knew she would be hunted relentlessly throughout her life. This revelation prompted her to destroy her lightsaber and burn her robes.

Grandea’s Mind Tricks Became Her Best Defense Against Even the Strongest Foe

Over numerous decades, Grandea’s persistence in living stemmed directly from her proficiency in the mind trick, a talent that evolved into her chief safeguard against the Empire. After discarding her Jedi persona, she retained only her bond with the Force and her unique survival strategy. She devoted herself solely to perfecting this mental technique, employing it frequently and thereby honing her skill even further. This single-minded pursuit transformed her from a casual Jedi who merely employed the Force into a skilled practitioner of psychological manipulation. Intriguingly, she sought out individuals known for their resistance to mind tricks to challenge herself, such as the Hutts and Toydarians. Ultimately, through diligent practice, she managed to influence even these powerful minds, thereby making her an elusive fugitive from the Empire’s grasp.

Her skillful deployment of psychological illusions was so potent that she managed to convince others she was always absent, even when she was present. As Grandea puts it herself: “I was never where I went.” This profound statement underscores her remarkable abilities, implying she could vanish not just from sight but also from people’s recollections and awareness. This form of camouflage surpasses the simple seclusion in a distant wilderness, as even the Inquisitors’ Force sensitivity would have detected hidden Jedi. This enabled her to lead a normal life within society without being pursued.

In essence, it was this exceptional talent of hers that enabled Grandea to outlive the Empire’s deadliest Jedi hunters, known as the Inquisitors. Following a particularly grueling battle against two Inquisitors, Grandea managed to deceive both into believing they had killed her. Her persuasive mind trick was so convincing that these two Inquisitors reported Grandea’s death to Darth Vader with absolute confidence, thereby halting the hunters’ pursuit of her.

In the latest installment of “Legacy of Vader” #7, I, Grandea, now an aged woman, unveil my past as a former Jedi to Kylo Ren. Upon encountering me in a tavern, he attempts to delve into my thoughts for information, yet I effortlessly thwart his efforts. Remarkably, it is I who manages to decipher his thoughts and recognize him, for he was “shouting it within himself” mentally.

Even after Order 66, my mind tricks served not merely as a means of evasion, even from the relentless pursuit of Kylo Ren, but as a method to maintain an open existence, despite the Empire’s most ruthless hunters lurking. My tale offers a captivating insight into the Jedi Purge and underscores that a Jedi’s greatest weapon may not always be their lightsaber.

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2025-08-13 15:53