We all know about Darth Bane and his creation of the new Sith Order under the Rule of Two.
But if the rule was supposed to be known only to the Sith, then how did Yoda and the Jedi Council learn about it?
Turns out, Yoda’s discovery of the Rule of Two is pretty straightforward, but the story behind it is much more intriguing.
So let’s not waste any more time and dive into how Yoda uncovered the Sith Order’s Rule of Two.
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The Story of How the Jedi Learned About the Rule of Two
The Rule of Two, established by Darth Bane around 1,000 BBY, was designed to ensure the survival and secrecy of the Sith by eliminating infighting.
This crucial change marked the beginning of a new era for the Sith. But if the Rule of Two was such a secret, how did the Jedi discover it?
To understand this, you need to dive into the book “Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force.”
It provides a detailed account of a significant event that helped the Jedi understand the Rule of Two.
In 188 BBY, Jedi Padawan Kibh Jeen and his master Qornah were sent by the Jedi Council to investigate an ancient Sith fortress on Almas in the Cularin system.
During this mission, Kibh Jeen was overwhelmed by the dark side energies in the fortress and succumbed to them, turning against his master.
The conflict ended with Jeen killing Qornah and declaring himself the new master of the fortress.
Harnessing the power and knowledge contained within the Sith fortress, Jeen dominated the minds of local pirates, forming a small army that he unleashed upon the third planet in the Cularin system.
This brutal assault became known as the “Dark Jedi Conflict,” causing widespread chaos and destruction for seven years.
After seven years of conflict, a Jedi Knight and her Padawan organized an armada to trap and defeat Jeen.
Before his death, Jeen was heard muttering about there always being no more or less than two Sith, hinting at the Rule of Two.
This information was recorded and later analyzed by Jedi Master Lanius Qel-Bertuk, headmaster of the Almas Jedi Academy, who pondered whether Jeen’s dying words were a threat or a warning.
In 53 BBY, Jedi Master Lanius Qel-Bertuk’s reflections on Kibh Jeen’s final words suggested that the Jedi Council was aware of the Rule of Two around this time.
The Almas Jedi Academy, which later fell during the Jedi Purge, preserved these insights, providing valuable context for future Jedi like Yoda.
This Is How Yoda Uncovered the Secret Rule of Two
So, in 1999, we saw the release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, set in 32 BBY. This film was the first time we were introduced to the Rule of Two in a Star Wars movie.
After the encounter with Darth Maul, Yoda and Mace Windu discussed the Sith. Yoda explicitly mentioned the Rule of Two, stating, “Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.”
This conversation indicated Yoda’s awareness of Sith doctrines.
Now, we all know Yoda, with his incredibly long life span, was born in 896 BBY and had already become a Jedi Master by 800 BBY. By the time Kibh Jeen uncovered the Rule of Two in 188 BBY, Yoda was a well-established member of the Jedi Council.
He had access to extensive Jedi records, including the historical account of Kibh Jeen’s mission and his ominous revelations about the Sith.
This wealth of historical knowledge, combined with ongoing Jedi scholarship and encounters with Sith remnants, solidified Yoda’s understanding of the Rule of Two.