Who is Cal Kestis? A Deep Dive into His Character and Motivations

Cal Kestis is a Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66 and emerged as the symbol of perseverance in the battle against the Empire. He is the protagonist in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This blog mentions the story of Cal, how he lived under shadows after the Jedi Purge, and his rise as a new hope for the Star Wars galaxy. 

Jedi Training Under Jaro Tapal

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Cal Kestis was born on Coruscant, where he was found Force-sensitive and taken to the Jedi Temple. During the Clone Wars, Cal was the padawan of Jaro Tapal and learned the lightsaber combat, Force abilities, and principles of the Jedi Order. Under Jaro Tapal’s guidance, Cal developed a strong connection with the Force, but he had still much to learn from his master. 

Surviving Order 66 

Cal Kestis’s life changed when Palpatine executed Order 66. Cal, along with his master, was on the Venator-class Star Destroyer Albedo Brave, and clone troopers attacked them. Master Jaro Tapal fought bravely, ultimately sacrificing himself for Cal. Tapal passed on his blue lightsaber to his padawan, encouraging him to believe in the Force. Seeing the death of his master traumatized Cal, which caused him to feel estranged from the Force. 

Cal Kestis Went In Hiding From The Empire 

After his escape, Cal went into hiding and ultimately sought shelter in the industrial junkyard world of Bracca. He became a scrapper, leaving his past Jedi identity to stay safe from the Jedi hunters trained by Darth Vader. For years, Cal remained unknown until an incident during a scrapping job compelled him to disclose his abilities. As his friend Prauf was about to fall to his demise, Cal, using his abilities, saved him. This attracted the Empire's attention and resulted in him being hunted by the Second Sister and Ninth Sister, two of the Empire’s most dreaded Inquisitors. 

Rediscovering The Jedi Path 

When the Second Sister located Cal on Bracca, a former Jedi Knight, Cere Junda and Greez Dritus, who piloted the starship Stinger Mantis, saved him. They wanted Cal to help in their quest to revive the Jedi Order by recovering a Jedi Holocron containing the list of Force-sensitive children hidden by Jedi before the Jedi Purge. Cal was reluctant but agreed to connect with the Force and work for the Jedi Order. Throughout their adventure, Cal met BD-1, a faithful droid partner who turned into his enduring supporter. BD-1 possessed vital data concerning the Holocron and assisted Cal in maneuvering through the galaxy's numerous threats. This mission reignited Cal’s bond with the Force and his sense of duty as a Jedi. 

Search for the Jedi Holocron 

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Cal and his crew traveled to multiple planets, such as Bogano, Zeffo, Kashyyyk, and Dathomir, among others, in their quest to retrieve the Holocron. Throughout his journey, Cal encountered physical and emotional obstacles that contributed to his growth as a Jedi. 

On Kashyyyk, Cal allied with the Wookiee rebels, headed by Saw Gerrera, to free the planet from Imperial domination. This mission enhanced Cal’s comprehension of the Empire’s tyranny and the significance of defending the innocent.

Cal discovered the remnants of the Zefo, a formidable and ancient species linked to the Force. Through these findings, he gained a deeper understanding of his duties as a Jedi and his link to the broader enigmas of the galaxy.

Visit to Dathomir

On the perilous and shadowy planet Dathomir, Cal encountered one of his toughest challenges. He met Taron Malicos, a fallen Jedi who had embraced the dark side and aimed to tempt Cal. Malicos tried to influence Cal to accept power and disregard the Jedi Code. However, Cal stood firm and defeated Malicos in an intense showdown. 

On Dathomir, Cal encountered Merrin, a Nightsister who initially perceived him as a foe. With time, Merrin realized Cal’s motives and became part of the crew on the Stinger Mantis. Her distinct skills and viewpoint proved to be essential in their struggle against the Empire.

The Final Mission of Retrieving the Holocron

Cal ultimately made his way back to Bogano, where an ancient Jedi vault hid the Holocron. After successfully retrieving it, he was attacked by the Second Sister, who was revealed to be Trilla Suduri, Cere Junda’s former Padawan who had succumbed to the dark side. 

Cal triumphed over Trilla in their last battle but opted to save her life, providing her with an opportunity for redemption. Before Trilla could come to terms with her history, Darth Vader appeared and executed her for failing him. Vader's immense strength compelled Cal and his team to flee. 

Cal Kestis Destroying the Holocron

After encountering Darth Vader, Cal made a crucial choice: instead of utilizing the Holocron to restore the Jedi Order, he chose to destroy it. He realized that collecting Force-sensitive children would only put them in danger since the Empire would do whatever it took to track them down. This decision showcased Cal’s development and maturity, affirming his position as a Jedi not through rebuilding the Order but by protecting others and opposing oppression. 

Cal Kestis in "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor"

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Cal's journey continues in the game, "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor," which takes place five years after the storyline of "Fallen Order." As a Jedi, Cal confronts new enemies and stands firm against the Empire. He also formed a small group of rebels to fight against darkness and hope to rebuild the Order. 

Cal’s struggle led him to the long-lost High Republic Jedi named Dagan Gera and the hidden planet of Tanalorr, a world beyond Imperial reach. However, it was not easy to reach this point, and it was full of betrayals of allies and growing darkness within Cal himself. Afterward, the fate of Cal remained uncertain. 

Cal Kestis’s Lightsabers 

Cal Kestis’s lightsaber is not just a weapon; it symbolizes his development as a Jedi. He first created a blue double-edged weapon while he was a Padawan under Master Jaro Tapal. His saber was damaged during Order 66, resulting in just one working blade. It reflected his broken identity. Moreover, during his time in hiding on Bracca, Cal took apart the weapon to obscure his Jedi history. Upon reconnecting with the Force, he revitalized its dual-blade capability and subsequently adjusted it to separate into two blades, enabling combat with both weapons. 

On Ilum, Cal swapped his broken blue kyber crystal, gamers in "Fallen Order" can modify the blade to different colors such as green, orange, purple, yellow, cyan, or magenta. The lightsaber's evolution from shattered to completely restored reflects Cal’s growth, symbolizing his strength, flexibility, and dedication to justice. Its color change enables players to customize Cal's character, even though canonically, his saber stayed blue during his adventure.

Legacy of Cal Kestis 

Cal Kestis is known for his determination, empathy, and sense of duty. The pain of losing his master and the Jedi Order transformed him into a careful and reflective person. However, his quest to retrieve the Holocron revived his hope and sense of purpose, enabling him to evolve into a brave Jedi who prioritizes safeguarding innocent lives. Therefore, his life has become a story of an enduring spirit in the Jedi Order. He has represented resilience and hope throughout his life.