The Star Wars prequel-era Jedi Master, Mace Windu, received his Jedi training from a sapient tree in Legends. Mace Windu is the last Master of the Order, or leader of the Jedi Council, in the original Jedi Order, having fought valiantly to protect democracy in the Clone Wars before tragically dying at the hands of Palpatine shortly before the Jedi Order and Galactic Republic were destroyed. Mace’s earlier life was once discussed in the Legends continuity, an alternate branch of the Star Wars franchise since April 2014, which delved into the roots of the prequel trilogy’s Jedi and their respective masters – including Mace Windu’s mentor.
Mace Windu has long since been unique among the prequel-era Jedi not only for his position as Master of the Order, but also for his use of both the Force and his lightsaber. Windu mastered a rare Force ability called shatterpoint, heightening his ability to perceive and attack weaknesses. Windu also created a Jedi version of lightsaber combat Form VII called Vaapad, though the form put its users at high risk of falling to the dark side of the Force. Windu’s mentor was no less unique, as she was a sapient, shapeshifting, tree-like being.
In Star Wars Legends, Mace Windu Was Trained By Master T’ra Saa
While little is known about Mace Windu’s tutelage, his Jedi Master in the Legends continuity is T’ra Saa, a member of the Neti species. As with all Neti, T’ra Saa is a tree-like plant with the ability to shapeshift. T’ra Saa normally takes the form of a humanoid and her history throughout the Legends timeline is as fascinating as Mace Windu’s. In addition to mentoring Mace Windu, T’ra Saa fought in the Clone Wars as a Jedi General, having previously served as the Jedi Watchman of the Kiffu sector.
T’ra Saa was also a close friend of fellow Jedi Master Tholme, and the two eventually fell in love during the Clone Wars. The two Jedi survived Order 66 together, though Tholme passed away sometime after the rise of the Galactic Empire. T’ra Saa reverted to her tree-like form and took root on Anzat, but she eventually joined Luke Skywalker’s New Jedi Order, as shown in the Star Wars: Legacy comics. T’ra Saa would, tragically, sacrifice herself to defend the Hidden Jedi Temple on Taivas from the forces of the One Sith.
Who Trained Mace Windu In Star Wars Canon?
T’ra Saa is exclusive to the Star Wars Legends continuity, with Mace Windu’s mentor being the Mirialan Jedi Master Cyslin Myr in the new canon. While T’ra Saa has no counterpart in the new canon, her species, the Neti, do exist in the current continuity. The Neti Jedi Master T’alla is said to have constructed the Great Jedi Library on Ossus, a planet from the Legends timeline that has since become the sight of Luke’s Jedi Temple in the new canon. While the lore of the Neti has yet to bloom in the new Star Wars canon, one of the most prominent Neti remains Mace Windu’s mentor in the Legends continuity.
