Summary

• The Hidden Path in Obi-Wan Kenobi may have been influenced by the Path of the Open Hand from the High Republic era.
• of the Jedi Exploratory Corps, who survived Order 66, could have created the Hidden Path and used their extensive s to help smuggle Jedi and Force-sensitives to safety.
• The involvement of the ExplorCorps Jedi in creating the Hidden Path aligns with the theme of teamwork and the need for brave and resourceful individuals to keep people safe.

One piece of Star Wars lore might explain the true history of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Hidden Path. As Obi-Wan Kenobi took place a mere few years after the horrific events of Order 66, many Jedi, and others who opposed the Empire, were still on the run. Those people needed a safe way to navigate the galaxy and avoid being captured or worse – and the Hidden Path offered that opportunity to them. Run by a group of covert Rebels led by Kawlan Roken, the Hidden Path provides sanctuary to Obi-Wan and a young Princess Leia in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Over time, the Hidden Path’s network grew, and other Rebels and Jedi got involved, including Cal Kestis and Cere Junda, two Order 66 survivors from the Star Wars: Jedi games.

However, the actual history of the Hidden Path is still somewhat of a mystery. It’s possible that the original idea was born during the High Republic era. During that time, a dangerous organization known as the Path of the Open Hand operated throughout the galaxy, spreading their cult-like beliefs about the Force while providing safety and security to those who most needed it. On the other hand, it’s possible that the Hidden Path was created by a group of Jedi even the Empire couldn’t locate – and one Star Wars sourcebook may explain how.

Many Of The Jedi Exploratory Corps Survived

When the Jedi Order and the Galactic Senate first started working together, the Order created the Jedi Exploratory Corps, otherwise known as the ExplorCorps, a new branch of the Jedi Service Corps. The Jedi who participated in the ExplorCorps were powerful in the Force but did not wish to be beholden to the will of the Jedi Council. Instead, they traveled the galaxy far and wide, unearthing dangerous and long-lost secrets on distant and hidden worlds. Many ExplorCorps traveled even beyond the Outer Rim to the Unknown Regions. Fantasy Flight Games’ roleplaying sourcebook Forces & Destiny: Savage Spirits, as written by Tim Huckelberry, explains that the Jedi of the Exploratory Corps didn’t actively participate in the Clone Wars.

As such, not only did many survive the war’s brutal battles, but numerous wandering Jedi also survived the events of Order 66. Though some returned to Coruscant without any clue as to what had transpired and were thus sadly captured or killed, the word did slowly spread, and plenty of other ExplorCorps Jedi managed to remain safely hidden away. Though the Jedi of the Exploratory Corps were not known for their cooperation with the Jedi Order and, by extension, the Jedi Council, it stands to reason that they would want to help any surviving Jedi navigate the galaxy’s treacherous new reality – and they would have been perfectly positioned to do so.

These Jedi Would Have Had Many s

An ExplorCorps Jedi’s entire purpose was to make with distant worlds, uncover hidden secrets and ancient knowledge, and communicate with those far away from Coruscant and the other Core Worlds. They explored the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions extensively, and it’s unlikely the Empire would have been aware of all their findings. As such, those Jedi would already have a strong network of s to utilize. Many of those s may well have been willing to help them smuggle other Jedi and Force-sensitives to safety once Darth Vader and his Inquisitors began to hunt down any remaining survivors.

The ExplorCorps was primarily made up of Seekers - those Jedi who chose to explore the galaxy to find potential younglings or follow the will of the Force.

Survivors Of The Jedi Exploratory Corps Could Have Created The Hidden Path

Given their resources, it’s completely plausible that the survivors of the Jedi Exploratory Corps were the ones who created the concept and the original network for the Hidden Path. They never would have been able to do it on their own, so they would have needed to recruit potential to their cause – those who could more easily blend into a crowd. Equally, a few stray Rebels would never have been able to create the network on their own, either. Having a few Jedi on hand, especially ones who knew secret hiding places across the galaxy, would have been extremely beneficial.

This is not to say that the idea of the Hidden Path may not still have been influenced by the Path of the Open Hand. In fact, this theory makes it all the more likely – the ExplorCorps Jedi could have easily come across information related to the Path of the Open Hand during their travels. Traces of their way of life, their rules, and their beliefs will have undoubtedly been left behind somewhere. Whatever the case may be, the Jedi of the Exploratory Corps being involved with the creation of the Hidden Path makes perfect sense. As proven by Obi-Wan Kenobi, keeping people safe was a team effort, one that could only be achieved with the help of brave and resourceful people – people like the ExplorCorps Jedi.