Holocron / Legends A holocron , short for holographic chronicle , was an organic crystal - lattice device which stored phenomenal quantities of data guarded by the device ' s gatekeeper . Holocrons were used to hold information on Force techniques and instruction manuals by Force users beginning with the Sith and then the Jedi some three thousand years later . Description . Most holocrons were shaped like ; Jedi holocrons were usually cubical , while Sith holocrons typically took the form of a pyramid , but other geometric shapes also existed . The Telos Holocron represents an atypical shape . Regularly , a holocron could be held in one ' s hand . The existence of the first Sith holocron predates that of a Jedi holocron by at least three thousand years . The technology to create the pyramidal holocrons common to the Sith was something gifted to the ancient Sith King Adas by Rakata warriors trying to gain his trust . He accepted their technology and made a holocron , but he saw through their ploy and rebelled against them . The holocron employed patterns of organic crystals and hologrammic technology to capture the appearance and cognitive networks of the holocron ' s owner , and transform this into a three - dimensional hologram . This gatekeeper acted as a guide through the holocron ' s store of information , as a search and recovery engine with a more personal touch . These gatekeepers could relate stories from the holocron ' s archives to events in the life of the one who activated the holocron . Jedi gatekeepers could sense the ability and level of a Jedi , and offer or restrict information accordingly — so that Padawans were not shown information too advanced and dangerous for their basic stage . Sith holocrons usually had the same restrictive mechanism like Jedi holocrons , but the gatekeeper could corrupt the unaware listener . A great many holocrons were stored in the Jedi Archives on Coruscant , kept in a specific Holocron Chamber within the Jedi Temple . In addition to holding the holocrons created by Jedi in the field , the Archives also held the details on creating holocrons and directions on accessing them . The technology to make them was nearly lost after the Great Jedi Purge when the Archives were raided by Darth Sidious . Surviving holocrons contained information including Jedi techniques , blueprints of ancient starships , and historical information about the universe ; as a result , they were quite valuable . Usually , only Force - sensitive users could access a holocron , while data holocron s did not require Force sensitivity to access . This suggests that holocrons were partially powered by the Force . Once opened , Force - insensitive users could communicate with the gatekeeper as well as Force - sensitive users . It is known that Bastila Shan ' s father made a holocron , which he used as a journal . Some holocrons were activated by taking them apart with the Force and then inserting a special crystal that made the holocron readable . The Crystal was usually hidden away for safe - keeping by the founder of the holocron , but there have been instances in which a certain Jedi or Sith has protected the crystal at all times by keeping it on their person . Behind the scenes . The first in - universe mention of a holocron is in the " Dark Empire " comic series , written by Tom Veitch who invented the idea of holocrons . Although not seen in the film , during production of " " , the film ' s propmakers made three holocrons for its : a Jedi holocron , a Sith holocron and the Great Holocron . Housing holocrons at Jedi or Sith Temples is a way of generating nova crystals in " " . They appear identical to the Vor ' Na ' Tu artifact in the game . They are equivalent to the relics of " Age of Empires II " , on which SWGB was based . In " Star Wars Galaxies " , holocrons were used at first to unlock Force - sensitivity in users and later , when Aurilia was used for players to become Jedi , the holocrons were used to refill their Force bar . Two holocron collections were added to the game with Chapter 7 in November 2007 . In " " , Kyle Katarn trains on Yavin 4 . There he collects holocrons that ' teach ' him how to increase speed , Force Jump and push or pull certain objects with the Force . In multiplayer mode , a player that collects a holocron can learn how to use a Force power along with new lightsaber abilities . In the Expansion of Jedi Knight : Dark Forces II , Mysteries of the Sith , Mara Jade is tasked with guarding a Holocron being transported by the New Republic fleet . The holocron is larger than usual and is called an important artifact by Jade ' s commander . The Holocron is subsequently stolen by Lumini Pirates under command of smuggling kingpin Kaerobani to add to his collection . Mara Jade then undergoes a mission to retrieve the Holocron from the Kaerobani ' s base on Rathalay . In the , there are two kinds of holocrons ; Sith Holocrons function as traditional " power - ups " , granting Starkiller temporary invincibility , enhanced damage , limitless Force energy , etc . . Jedi Holocrons serve as hidden bonuses , commonly containing a supply of Force points ( the game ' s equivalent of ) , but also containing various lightsaber crystal s or alternate costumes . In the PlayStation 2 / Nintendo Wii version of the game , holocrons unlock artwork from the levels in the game . In " " , all the holocrons replicate the Great Holocron .