Mace Windu

> "The Jedi Order is all I care about... and I'm willing to do anything to see it survive."
> ― Mace Windu, to Jarik Shan
>
>

**Mace Windu**, a Force-sensitive human male, was a revered Jedi Master and member of the Jedi High Council during the last years of the Galactic Republic. During his time in the Jedi Order, he once served as elected leader of the Jedi Order and, during the Clone Wars, as a Jedi General in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was the greatest champion of the Jedi Order and promoted its ancient traditions amidst the growing influence of the dark side of the Force in the corrupt, declining days of the Republic.

## **History**

### **Clone Wars**

> "You must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
> ― Mace Windu, to Sheev Palpatine
>
>

When the Separatist Crisis spawned the birth of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and sparked the Clone Wars, Windu and the Jedi rallied to the defense of the Republic and became the leaders of the Grand Army of the Republic. Throughout the war, Windu served the Jedi and the Republic in various capacities—on the battlefield in command of the clone army, on Coruscant as an overseer of the war effort and an advisor to Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, and even as a diplomat to contested worlds, despite his disdain of politics. His exploits on the frontline served as a reminder of his reputation as a renowned Jedi warrior.

#### **Duel with Darth Sidious**

> "In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, you're under arrest, Chancellor."
> ― Mace Windu, to Darth Sidious
>
>

As the war drew to a close, Windu became increasingly suspicious of the Chancellor's motives, as Palpatine had amassed near-dictatorial control over the Galactic Senate, and sensed the rising power of the dark side in the galaxy. His suspicions were confirmed when Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight and the Chosen One of ancient prophecy, discovered that Palpatine was Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord of the Sith who manipulated the Republic and the Confederacy into war. Windu, along with Jedi Masters Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin, confronted Palpatine with the intention of arresting him. Instead, the Dark Lord attacked and struck them down one by one until only Windu was left. Windu bested Palpatine in the confrontation and — deciding the Chancellor was too dangerous to be left alive due to his influence over the government — prepared to strike him down, but the intervention of Anakin Skywalker, who saved the Chancellor's life, led to Windu's apparent death. As a result, Skywalker fell to the temptation of the dark side and was renamed Darth Vader.

### **Age of the Empire**

Windu's failed move against Palpatine at the end of the Clone Wars led the Chancellor to brand the Jedi as traitors to the Republic. The Chancellor executed Order 66 and clone troopers across the galaxy turned against and killed their Jedi leaders, marking the fall of the Jedi Order. Palpatine transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire and the Emperor's new regime promoted anti-Jedi sentiment across the galaxy. Through propaganda, the Empire portrayed Windu as the leader of a criminal gang of Jedi who caused the outbreak of the Clone Wars. In spite of the propaganda, some of Windu's actions were remembered with fondness; General Cham Syndulla, who served alongside Windu during the Battle of Ryloth, remembered Windu with great respect and told the tale of how Windu helped him liberate Ryloth during the war.

#### **Final stand against the Sith**

> "I have a task for you, my apprentice. A powerful Jedi survives in the Mid Rim, and has sent out a message calling all surviving Jedi to him. He must pay the price for his betrayal."
> "As you wish, my Master."
> ― Darth Sidious and Darth Vader
>
>

It was learned much later, however, that Windu had in fact survived his duel against Palpatine, and had been plotting a way to destroy the Sith for some time. In 2 BBY, Windu sent out a message to other surviving members of the Jedi High Council, including Jedi Master Shaak Ti, calling them to rally with him on Naboo for a deadly blow against the Sith. However, this message was intercepted by Jedi Knight Jarik Shan and also the Emperor himself, the latter of whom dispatched Darth Vader to kill him before subsequently traveling there as well. Shan also journeyed to Naboo in order to find Windu and the other Jedi, during which Windu and Shan both expressed bitter frustrations with each other over their differing perspectives regarding the dark side and Anakin's fall, though they were interrupted by Vader's arrival. Windu, despite engaging and even defeating the Sith Lord in battle, eventually died along with two of the other Council members, with Windu facing off against both Vader and Sidious in order to ensure that Shan escaped with a wounded Shaak Ti.

### **Legacy**

> "It's saddening to know that the others weren't so fortunate."
> "I'm... sorry about that, master."
> "It's not your fault Jarik. They weren't fully able to move on from the past. But we can honor our fallen friends by seeking to look ahead."
> ― Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jarik Shan
>
>

Windu's sacrifice enabled Shan to escape from Naboo with a badly wounded Shaak Ti and save her life, though with an irreparable injury. He was also confident that Shan would bring about a return of the Jedi Order, which was his final wish. Windu was remembered by Shan and other survivors of the Great Jedi Purge; much of Shan's feelings about the Jedi Master were negative, but he did honor Windu's sacrifice and what he stood for as a true defender of the Republic and a champion of the Jedi Order.

The name of Mace Windu was later reviled by those who believed the lies of the Galactic Empire. The Empire taught in their history books that Windu was the leader of a "criminal gang" that interfered with a legal execution taking place on Geonosis, thus sparking the Clone Wars. However, Windu's reputation was not completely tarnished by Imperial propaganda. During the Imperial Era, the people of Ryloth still remembered his exploits and heroic deeds in the Battle of Lessu, and ultimately immortalized his name along with Cham Syndulla's through songs dedicated to their victory.

## **Appearances**

* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 1: Beginnings* — "Chapter 2: Brought to the Temple"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 1: Beginnings* — "Chapter 3: Meeting the Council"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 1: Beginnings* — "Chapter 5: Nightmares"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 1: Beginnings* — "Chapter 6: From the Shadows"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 1: Landing at Point Rain" (first appearance)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 3: Brain Invaders" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 4: Bounty Hunters" (voice only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 5: Grievous Intrigue"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 20: Informing the Council"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 23: Citadel Rescue"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 34: Friends and Enemies" (hologram only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 35: Crisis on Naboo"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 37: Revenge"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 39: A War on Two Fronts"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 47: Bound for Rescue" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 50: Revival"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 53: Sabotage"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 55: To Catch a Jedi"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 56: The Wrong Jedi"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 57: The Council's Arrogance"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 58: Remembrances" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 59: The Lost One"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 60: Voices"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 62: Sacrifice"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 63: Ahsoka Alone" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 64: Sith Alliance"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 67: The Bad Batch"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 68: Call for Assistance"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 69: Unfinished Business"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 70: Getting in a Mess"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 71: The Pyke Investigation" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 72: Old Friends Not Forgotten" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 1: Battle of Coruscant" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 5: Mysterious Connection"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 6: Doubt and Suspicion"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 7: Teachings of the Sith" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 8: Calm before the Storm"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 9: Sidious Revealed"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 2: The Clone Wars* — "Chapter 74: Shattered" (hologram only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 10: A Sith Lord Rises"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 11: Operation Knightfall" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 3: Revenge of the Sith* — "Chapter 13: Return to the Temple" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 4: A Jedi in Exile* — "Chapter 19: Revelations from the Force" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 4: A Jedi in Exile* — "Chapter 28: The Path of Mara Jade" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 4: A Jedi in Exile* — "Chapter 85: As Time Flies By" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 4: A Jedi in Exile* — "Chapter 86: Homecoming" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 4: A Jedi in Exile* — "Chapter 90: What Comes Next?" (indirect mention only)
* *Sun and Moon* — "Unpleasant Memories" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 1: Memories of the Past" (indirect mention only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 2: Tension on Naboo"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 3: Fall of the Old Masters"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 4: Anger" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 5: From Crystal to Lifeblood" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 11: Discussing Death" (indirect mention only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 23: The Discovery" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 26: Lowest Point" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 31: A False Sense of Security" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 50: Through Imperial Eyes" (indirect mention only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 52: Old Wounds" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 70: Wolves of Dume Pt 3" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 76: A Family" (mentioned only)

### **Non-canon appearances**

* *The Legend of Reylea - Volume 1: The Avatar and the Force* — "Chapter 14: Visions" (vision to Caran)
* *The Legend of Reylea - Volume 1: The Avatar and the Force* — "Chapter 17: Out of the Past" (vision to Caran)
* *The Legend of Reylea - Volume 1: The Avatar and the Force* — "Chapter 14: Visions" (vision to Caran)