Bendu

> "I am the Bendu. The one in the middle. The one between the Light and the Dark."
> ― Bendu
>
>

**Bendu** was an ancient Force-sensitive entity who resided on the remote planet of Atollon in the galaxy's Outer Rim and claimed to represent the center of the Force, between its light and the dark sides. Bendu encountered Jedi Knight Jarik Shan and former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano in 3 BBY, having sensed their presence the moment they set foot on Atollon. He also met Jedi Padawan Mara Jade, Jedi Master Shaak Ti, Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan Ezra Bridger, and developed a friendly relationship with them, helping the Jedi deal with their fears and anxieties.

Despite his wisdom and powers, Bendu was extremely unnerved when he felt the evil presence of the Yuuzhan Vong close by on one occasion. He also refused to take sides in any conflict, and was angered when Kanan called him a coward for not intervening during the Battle of Atollon, which caused him to unleash a storm against both the rebel and Imperial forces on Atollon. Though eventually incapacitated by concentrated fire of Imperial AT-AT walkers under Grand Admiral Mitth'raw'nuruodo and the Force powers of the Sith Lord Darth Vader, which sent him crashing onto the surface, the seemingly defeated Bendu uttered prophetic visions of their futures to both Thrawn and Vader before vanishing.

## **Personality and traits**

> "Such is the natural way of life. Cruelty is simply an expression of nature, some beings more so than others."
> ― Bendu, to Jarik Shan and Ahsoka Tano
>
>

Bendu was a wise and enigmatic being which resembled a giant rocky monolith with two eyes, a flat nose, and a long beard. His appearance greatly resembled that of the lion turtles from the Force-planet Reylea, and it was theorized by Shan that they could possibly be related in some way.

Bendu was a powerful entity who could control nature, including the krykna spiders of Atollon. He could also sense the presence of other Force-wielders from a distance. He was a wise and patient teacher who believed that other Force-sensitive beings needed to learn to overcome their fears and imbalances through personal trials. He taught Kanan Jarrus how to overcome his blindness as well as his fear of krykna by teaching the Jedi Knight how to rely on his senses. Bendu also helped Jarik Shan to overcome some of his fears and uncertainty regarding his past and future, including his role in the Sun and Moon Prophecy. Despite his powers, Bendu was noticeably wary of the evil presence exuded by Oryx and the Yuuzhan Vong.

While recognizing that the Sith holocron was dangerous, Bendu believed that only the user had the power to change themselves for better or worse. Bendu was immensely powerful and had the power to destroy a sensor marker with a mere flick of his hands. Bendu recognized that the convergence of Sith and Jedi holocrons had the power to produce clarity of vision but could also lead to chaos. He was concerned with the relationship between Jarrus and his apprentice Ezra Bridger and believed the two needed to repair it. Bendu was also aware of the Infinity Stones — powerful objects responsible for the creation of the universe — and understood the nature of them as well as the powers they possessed.

Bendu felt at peace living on Atollon and was angered when the rebels unintentionally lured the Empire to his planet. He was insulted when Kanan pleaded for him to break his neutrality and fight the Empire, citing his ambivalent to the galaxy's problems. Despite his patience, wisdom and powers, Bendu entered into a rage when Kanan accused him of cowardice for not wanting to help the rebels during the Battle of Atollon, showing a degree of pride and a desire for respect. Still, Bendu was not intimidated by Thrawn or Darth Vader, predicting the Grand Admiral's defeat and the fulfillment of the Chosen One prophecy through the Sith Lord's redemption.

## **Powers and abilities**

> "What manner of creature are you?"
> "One beyond your power to destroy."
> ― Thrawn and Bendu
>
>

Bendu was an immensely powerful being who possessed incredible connections to the Force and could perceive the emotions of others. He was powerful enough in the Force to brush off attack from even the Sith Lord Darth Vader, and could also appear and disappear at will. Despite his ability to create powerful storms by manipulating the nature around him, he was knocked to the ground when Darth Vader used the Force to subdue him whilst Grand Admiral Thrawn directed artillery fire at him. Bendu also had the power of foresight, predicting Thrawn's defeat and Anakin Skywalker's redemption. After warning Thrawn and Vader about their futures, Bendu laughed and disappeared as the Sith Lord attempted to strike him down with his lightsaber.

## **Appearances**

* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 4: A Jedi in Exile* — "Chapter 93: The Mystery of Chopper Base" (first appearance)
* *Sun and Moon* — "The Matron" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 1: Memories of the Past" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 8: Steps into Shadow Pt 1" (voice only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 9: Steps into Shadow Pt 2"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 10: Steps into Shadow Pt 3" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 11: Discussing Death"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 12: The Holocrons of Fate"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 13: The Extraction" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 15: Letting Go" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 16: Imprisoned by Belief" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 33: Peace, Quiet, and Augury" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 37: Visions and Voices"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 43: Trials of the Darksaber"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 53: Terror From beyond" (voice only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 54: Zero Hour Pt 1"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 55: Zero Hour Pt 2" (indirect mention only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 56: Zero Hour Pt 3"
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 57: Next Move" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 58: A Risky Confrontation" (indirect mention only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 72: World Between Worlds" (mentioned only)
* *Legacy of Jarik Shan - Volume 5: Rebirth* — "Chapter 75: Liberation of Lothal" (indirect mention only)

### **Non-canon appearances**

* *The Legend of Reylea - Volume 2: Mysteries of Reylea* — "Chapter 3: Force Powers" (mentioned only)
* *The Legend of Reylea - Volume 2: Mysteries of Reylea* — "Chapter 10: Escalation" (depicted on a book)