Jal Shey The Jal Shey were an ancient order of users who studied the Force from a purely intellectual perspective , forsaking the more spiritual paths taken by the Jedi and Sith . Jal Shey were typically more known for diplomacy , on par with the greatest Jedi negotiators , but , unlike the Jedi and Sith , they were less successful in physical pursuits , even where the Force was involved . The Jal Shey were also a nomadic group , traveling the galaxy in search of new locations to study the Force , and they were particularly selective about recruiting new members . Because they lacked the physical abilities of the Jedi , Jal Shey members often wore various types of armor to protect themselves . They also created other devices such as Jal Shey meditation gloves and Jal Shey belt s to further augment their physical abilities , imbuing them with the Force . The Jal Shey were known to have three ranks : mentors , advisors , and neophytes . The organization survived into the time of the Galactic Empire but was considered a viable target for Imperial persecution in the midst of the Great Jedi Purge . Imperial commander Roly Melusar at one point contemplated dispatching Imperial commando s in pursuit of the Jal Shey . History . The Jal Shey order was considered one of the oldest Force - using traditions as early as 4000 BBY . By the time of the Jedi Civil War , they were known to be widespread and items crafted by them could be found across the galaxy . They were nomadic by nature and did not settle for long in any particular place . Instead , they searched for places that could improve their understanding of the Force . Yet the Jal Shey were not only scholars and observers of the Force ; they also participated in the life of the society in which they operated , using their knowledge to help improve the lives of beings around them . The Jedi largely considered them just another Force - using sect comparable to the Zeison Sha . Following the Great Sith War , they roamed the galaxy and were regarded as militant , but retained their philosophy of viewing the Force intellectually rather than spiritually . The Mabari , an order of warrior knights that lived on the planet Zolan , eventually developed from Jal Shey teachings . The Jal Shey remained in existence circa 19 BBY , during the formation of the Galactic Empire . Roly Melusar , commander of the Imperial Commando Special Unit , at one point considered dispatching his Imperial commandos to hunt down other Force - users besides Jedi ; his list included the Altisian Jedi and Jal Shey . Hierarchy . The Jal Shey categorized themselves into three different classifications . Mentors were known for their intelligence and understanding of the Force and were considered an equivalent to the rank of Jedi Master . Peet Sieben was one known Jal Shey mentor . Advisors were assigned to diplomatic missions and could be encountered throughout the galaxy . Neophytes were new acolytes who studied with mentors until they were ready to accept investigative and diplomatic missions of their own . Philosophy . The Jal Shey were considered especially adept at diplomacy , negotiation , and spirited debate . Jal Shey could be found acting as negotiators in disputes ranging from simple arguments to negotiated settlements of great complexity , including wars . They were regarded as particularly skillful at diplomacy and comparisons were made between Jedi and Jal Shey negotiators . With the use of the Force , they could often catch their opponents off guard , allowing them to keep any potential opponents off - balance . The Jal Shey recruited Force - users from a variety of worlds and species , but they were selective , choosing only those who they believed would accept the Jal Shey way of life and contribute to their scholarly and diplomatic efforts . Individuals they saw as tainted with the dark side and those who presented an affinity for combat were typically not selected . They were not known for being particularly numerous . They did not consider themselves tied to one location , but instead moved from one destination to the next in search of places that would improve their understanding of the Force . Studying such things as Force nexus ' , the history of certain species , and other Force traditions , Jal Shey used their vast knowledge of the Force to help others reach their full potential . Many Jal Shey learned basic lightsaber techniques for defense , but they rarely specialized in them . Unlike the Jedi , the Jal Shey shunned physical pursuits , preferring to hone their understanding of the Force , negotiate settlements , and imbue item s with the Force . Due to their lack of emphasis on physical exercise or combat , they preferred to use their talents to create armor , belts , and other items to augment their own Force powers . The Jal Shey eventually learned how to produce items that not only enhanced the abilities of the creator when worn , but would benefit any who wore or wielded them . Even robes created and worn by Jal Shey could provide a positive benefit to the wearer . Jal Shey perception gloves or meditation gloves were worn during meditation and served to augment the user ' s awareness , while both regular Jal Shey belt s and the more effective belts worn by mentors could provide one with mental fortitude against the dark side of the Force . The light armor worn by Jal Shey was , like the Jal Shey themselves , described as having an aura of dignity and competence , and did not restrict the use of Force powers by the wearer . There were multiple types of armor , depending on the rank of Jal Shey , and each successively higher rank was more beneficial to the user than that of lower ranks . Behind the scenes . There are many player - usable items in " " created by the Jal Shey . While their armor does not inhibit Force powers like most armor , Jal Shey items can be useful to characters specializing in Force skills . The Jal Shey themselves did not directly appear in the game , although a brief description of their philosophy was given in the in - game description of each item . The Jal Shey had later appearances in the " Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide " and one of its web enhancements , which expounded upon their backstory . The campaign guide also served to provide the Jal Shey with known Force talents and expounded upon their role in the galaxy . They were mentioned in the sourcebook " Scum and Villainy " , and also had a brief entry in " The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia " , which described them as being " militant " and roaming the galaxy in the years after the Great Sith War . Author Karen Traviss mentioned them in two of her novels , and " " . In particular , those novels identified an individual Jal Shey mentor , Peet Sieben , and established that the Jal Shey were still an active Force - using sect as of 19 BBY .