The High Republic Adventures: Quest of the Jedi is a Star Wars: The High Republic one-shot comic as part of Phase II of the multimedia project. It was written by Claudia Gray, illustrated by Fico Ossio and Sebastian Cheng, and published by Dark Horse Comics on April 26, 2023.
Publisher's summary
On the ancient world of Angcord, the Force works in unforeseen ways. When legendary Jedi Knight Barnabus Vim [sic] and his intrepid Padawan Bly [sic] arrive on this mysterious world, seeking an ancient artifact of the Force, they quickly find more than they were bargaining for.
But just what is the mysterious Echo Stone, and what does its existence mean for the continued survival of all those who call Angcord home?
Plot summary
Jedi Temple, Coruscant, Present Day
At the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, beneath the Kyber Arch, Jedi Knight Azlin Rell and Jedi Master Vin solemnly discuss the sacrifice of Jedi Master Zallah Macri and Padawan Kevmo Zink. Azlin does not think remembrance is enough, he wants answers. Vin urges him to be cautious in his pursuit for answers. Azlin believes there is one place they have not searched for answers yet: The past.
Azlin heads to the Jedi Archives and has the Master Archivist retrieve the numerous records of the adventures of the legendary Jedi Master Barnabas Vim. Azlin uncovers a photo of a stone that he believes is connected to the rod Zallah and Kevmo were searching for on Dalna so he dives deeper.
A long time ago…
Jedi Master Vim and his padawan, Vix Fonnick, travel to the planet Angcord in search of a Force artifact. The planet is mostly covered in water aside from a small archipelago that has supported the kingdom there for centuries.
Legend says that Angcord is home to a gem capable of amplifying one's connection to the Force. It was hidden there to prevent its capture by evil Sith Lord Ravi. Rumors suggest that it has sustained the islands ever since.
Vix asks her master why they did not just ask ahead if they have the gem rather than show up on just the basis of rumors. Master Vim explains that Angcord has separated itself from the galaxy for the past many years. Since it is so small, no one noticed that it has not communicated with the outside galaxy in such a long time. On approach to the archipelago, both padawan and Master can sense a disturbance in the Force, suggesting there is something ominous to then kingdom's silence.
Angcord finally answers their call, and they are greeted by the Lady of Angcord who is most pleased to see the Jedi. Long have they waited for deliverance, as she believes their world is dying. She explains further that their crops are dying, the fish evade their nets, and the trees wither. It feels as if the Force has abandoned them. Her pilgrim warriors remind her that the Force has not left them. They emphasize this by collectively using the Force to levitate her from the ground, reminding her of the Force that surrounds them.
Vix is astounded at the feat, and questions how they could accomplish that as only Jedi have that kind of power. The First Pilgrim calls the Jedi arrogant and vows to demonstrate what a real Force Warrior looks like. The First Pilgrim suggests they can defend their Lady with the Force, but can also use the Force to delight her and the people. The Pilgrims of Angcord collectively use the Force to create a large, hologram-like image of the Lady of Angcord in the middle of an arena. Jedi Master Vim and Padawan Vix debate how they could work together with such precision and unity. The Lady of Angcord explains that this is a Mind Painting, a unique ability of the Pilgrims of Angcord.
When asked how this kind of art is accomplished, the Lady of Angcord admits that they keep their secret close, but is willing to make an exception for the Jedi. They travel down to the sanctum. It is a large domed area with a rocky pedestal in the center. Atop the pedestal is a large, glowing stone. Purple energy seems to snap from it throughout the chamber. The Lady of Angcord calls it the Echo Stone.
Vix loudly proclaims that it must be the Force artifact they are looking for. This sows distrust, and the Pilgrims and the Lady of Angcord question the Jedi's motives and assume they want to take it away. Jedi Master Vim explains they would never do so without consent. The Lady questions why they did not tell her they were looking for a Force Artifact and she finds their secretive disposition suspicious. Vim explains they did not know when they arrived if the kingdom even had the stone that they were looking for. He assures her that they will leave Angcord with only that which is willingly given.
The First Pilgrim does not trust the Jedi, having heard rumors that the Jedi can warp minds. The Lady of Angcord calms her First Pilgrim and is willing to hear what else Master Vim has to say as she must tell them something as well.
The Lady of Angcord recounts their history. The first settlers wandered through the galaxy looking for a planet to call home. They found Angcord, a water planet with only a few small islands that should be lifeless. The Force was strong on this planet, so strong that even those that are not Jedi could feel it. All life is possible where the Force is strong. Because of the Echo Stone, life on this planet flourished. Their ancestors made a pact with the Echo Stone: They would protect it and in turn the stone would protect them. Its power enhanced and amplified connections to the Force. The longer one communes with it, the greater their abilities become. The people of Angcord have kept their promise. In return, the stone has made their Pilgrims powerful, their fishing plentiful, and the ground fertile. Without the stone, they would have nothing at all.
The Lady of Angcord permits them to study the stone, but warns that it may never leave their lands. Master Vim is concerned and thinks that they do not understand the stone's true intentions and that it may be lying to them. They doubt Master Vim's suspicions. Vix warns them that they should listen to her Master. Vim encourages Vix to stand down and admits that even he is not certain of the truth and asks to meditate on this to try and comprehend the stone's mysteries. The lady of Angcord grants him that but no more.
Vim and Vix retire for the evening. Master Vim explains to his padawan that dreaming may unlock the mysteries. He believes that the stone once amplified these people's strengths but it now appears to be draining them.
Master Vim dreams of being underwater where he contemplates the nature of the stone. It undoubtedly brings life, but perhaps this planet, more than others, is one with the Force. He reminds himself that only a fool believes the Force brings nothing but mercy. As he swims through the depths of the sea, creatures begin to appear. It reminds him that the first demand of life is death and that closeness to the Force does not spare them from death, but gives them meaning in life. A creature grabs him by the leg and drags him deeper. As he fights, the breather is knocked out of his mouth and he realizes that the meaning the Force gives is never more clear than at the moment of death.
Master Vim wakes in a panic, recognizing that the jewel's price is death and that he was not able to see it before because the jewel did not allow him to. He calls an urgent audience with the Lady of Angcord. It is as he feared: their world is being destroyed by the Echo Stone itself.
The Pilgrims of Angcord do not take this well and all pull out their blasters and point them at Master Vim and Vix. The lady demands an explanation. Vim explains that the Echo Stone is a conduit for the Force, but the Force is not purely made of Light. The Force includes the Dark Side. Angcord is supported by the Light, but poisoned by the Dark. He also believes the Dark has claimed the Lady of Angcord.
The Lady of Angcord denies his claims. When Master Vim tries to interfere with the Force and keep it from reaching the Lady, she erupts in a powerful display of purple Force lightning similar to the energy that comes off of the Echo Stone. She orders her Pilgrims to destroy the Jedi, branding them thieves and liars.
Master Vim and Vix are forced to defend themselves with their lightsabers. Vix wields a blue blade and Vim a green one. The fight is fierce, as the pilgrims also have the Force on their side, making their shots accurate and quick. Vix and Vim have trouble keeping them at bay. Vim orders Vix to shatter the stone with her lightsaber when given the opportunity.
After the stone is shattered, the Lady of Angcord awakens more herself than she has been in years. She agrees that the Jedi must leave - and they must take the Echo Stone with them. Master Vim promises the Republic will help them rebuild their planet so that it may sustain itself without the Echo Stone. Vim assures the Lady of Angcord that shattering the stone has restored its balance. Vim and Vix collect the shattered pieces of the Echo Stone.
Master Vim desires to search for the source of the stone's power and to take a piece of the stone there to better understand it. Until then, the rest of the fragments must be separated. Vix is tasked with separating the shards which will take her away from her Master. Vix does not think she is ready to be separated from him. Master Vim believes she is ready because she must be. Vix asks what will happen if the shards are one day brought together by the wrong person. Master Vim says they must hope that never happens.
Jedi Archives, Coruscant, Present Day
After reading the adventure of Master Barnabas Vim and his Padawan Vix Fonnick, Jedi Knight Azlin Rell realizes that the stones are the key - a step closer to answers.
Development
The High Republic Adventures: Quest of the Jedi was first announced during Star Wars: The High Republic Show,[3] and was given a release date of October 19, 2022.[4] It was published on April 26, 2023.[1]
Continuity
The preview's version of the introduction to the Kyber Arch, lacking the additional line that confirms the crystals of Kevmo Zink and Zallah Macri have not been found.
The preview for Quest of the Jedi on Dark Horse Comics's official website implied the kyber crystals of Kevmo Zink and Zallah Macri were added to the Kyber Arch after their deaths[1] in the mission to Dalna. However, The High Republic: Path of Deceit had previously established the Path of the Open Hand took their lightsabers, and therefore their crystals, away before their remains were discovered,[5] which logically would mean their crystals could not be added to the Kyber Arch. The final release included an additional line confirming Macri and Zink's crystals were not part of the Arch.
Media
Cover gallery
Collected in
Appearances
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
|
Organisms
|
Events
|
Locations
|
Organizations and titles
|
Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
|
Weapons and technology
|
Miscellanea
|
Sources
The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic Announced and New Concept Art Revealed on Star Wars: The High Republic Show on StarWars.com (backup link)- NYCC 2022: 10 Things We Learned From the Star Wars: The High Republic Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- This Week! in Star Wars New York Comic Con Reveals, Tony Gilroy Talks Andor, and More on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- Star Wars: The High Republic Show: The High Republic at New York Comic Con, Phase II Begins Now, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 216
- SWCE 2023: Dark Horse Reveals a Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III Teaser, New Jaxxon Art, and More on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Star Wars: The High Republic: Phase II Companion" — Star Wars Insider 221
- Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: The High Republic: The Lightsaber Collection
- Star Wars: The High Republic Chronological Reader's Guide on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic: Volume II
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures—Quest of the Jedi on Dark Horse Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic: Volume II establishes the flashbacks of The High Republic Adventures: Quest of the Jedi take place a hundred years before the events of The High Republic Phase II, which Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia dates to 382 BBY.
- ↑ The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic Announced and New Concept Art Revealed on Star Wars: The High Republic Show on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC ONE-SHOT on Previews World's official website (original link is obsolete)
- ↑ The High Republic: Path of Deceit
