Ithia Paan

For other uses, see Paan.

This article is about Ithia Paan, a canon Kel Dor Jedi.
You may be looking for Ithia, a Kel Dor in the Star Wars Legends continuity.

Ithia Paan was a Kel Dor female Jedi Knight of the Jedi Order during the High Republic Era. She served as a diplomat between the Jedi Order and the Baran Do Sages. In 132 BBY, she was briefed by Jedi Knight Yord Fandar on a mission to the planet Khofar to locate the assassin Mae-ho Aniseya before she could kill the secluded Jedi Master Kelnacca. She perished against the Sith practitioner known as "the Stranger" during the mission.

Biography

Ithia Paan was a Kel Dor Jedi Knight of the Jedi Order during the High Republic Era. She served as a diplomat between the Baran Do Sages and the Jedi Order. The sages specialized in precognition, but were unable to grasp a clear vision of Paan's future, which worried them.^[2] In 132 BBY,^[1] Paan joined Jedi Master Sol and a group of Jedi,^[4] organized by Jedi Master Veo Holden, to locate the assassin Mae-ho Aniseya and arrest her on^[2] the Outer Rim^[5] planet^[2] Khofar before she could kill the secluded Jedi Master Kelnacca. Jedi Knight Yord Fandar briefed the Jedi group aboard a Polan-717 Jedi transport en route to Khofar. Upon arrival, she waited at a camp with the other Jedi while the Padawan Jecki Lon communicated with some locals on Kelnacca's whereabouts. After the team received word of Kelnacca entering the nearby forest, the Tynnan Bazil led the expedition while following Kelnacca's scent. At nightfall, the group arrived at Kelnacca's shelter and fanned out around its entrance.^[4]

Ithia Paan (far right) stands with her fellow Jedi against "the Stranger."

As the Sith practitioner known as "the Stranger" approached the group from behind, Paan and the others turned to observe him. After the Sith ignited his lightsaber, Paan ignited her lightsaber and charged at the Stranger alongside the other Jedi, only for the Sith to knock the group away with the Force.^[4] After the Jedi reengaged the Sith, the Stranger knocked Paan to her knees before impaling the Kel Dor through her chest. Paan^[6] groaned^[7] as she died.^[1] Later, Vernestra Rwoh and another group of Jedi arrived on Khofar to investigate the Jedi task force's defeat. Upon finding and investigating the bodies of Paan and her companions, Rwoh informed fellow Jedi Mog Adana that the bodies needed to be prepared for burial.^[8] Paan's death was catalogued as part of the Khofar mission while other details were locked away and intentionally misreported by Rwoh.^[2]

Personality and traits

Ithia Paan was a female^[3] Kel Dor with brown skin.^[2]

Powers and abilities

Paan was Force-sensitive and was capable of precognition, though her foresight was no more accurate than that of other Jedi Knights with the same amount of training.^[2] She was capable of dueling with lightsabers.^[6]

Equipment

Paan's Jedi apparel consisted of brown robes with gold clothing underneath. She also wore a brown belt.^[2] Her lightsaber featured a single green blade.^[4] Paan wore a black antiox breath mask to protect her lungs from oxygen,^[2] which was toxic to Kel Dor.^[9] She also had a pair of black goggles^[2] to prevent her eyes from drying out.^[9]

Behind the scenes

"Beyond grateful to have had the chance to play a Jedi!"

―Katie McDonnell, on potraying Ithia Paan^[10]

Ithia Paan first appeared, albeit unidentified, in "Day,"^[4] the fourth episode of the live action Disney+ television series Star Wars: The Acolyte, which aired on June 18, 2024.^[11] The Kel Dor was first previewed in a Celebration Europe-exclusive trailer^[12] released during the Lucasfilm Studio Showcase on April 7, 2023.^[13] Paan was identified the day after the episode's airing by the official Star Wars Twitter account, after a fan inquired about the character's name.^[14]

Paan was portrayed onscreen by stunt performer Katie McDonnell,^[10] though she was only credited as a stunt performer.^[4]^[6] McDonnell was grateful to play a Jedi and joked she was offended only her face was covered among the Jedi task force.^[10] Leslye Headland, executive producer of The Acolyte, personally choose the color of the show's original characters' lightsabers^[15]—which included Ithia Paan and her lightsaber^[4]—based on the aesthetics of their scenes and personalities.^[15] The shots of Khofar for the Jedi task force landing and walking were filmed in the National Park Fanal of Madeira while the scenes inside the forest and at Kelnacca's shelter were filmed at Shinfield Studios in Reading,^[16] England.^[17] Brian Best,^[18] a senior modeller for The Acolyte,^[4] created a mold for Ithia Paan during production.^[18]