Jaro Tapal, a stern Lasat Jedi Master and former Padawan of Yaddle, trained Cal Kestis aboard a Venator during the Clone Wars. Though killed during Order 66, Tapal’s lessons in discipline and survival became the foundation of Cal’s Jedi path in Fallen Order, shaping his resilience, combat style, and outlook long after his death.
Cal Kestis, a lone survivor of the Jedi Purge, traces much of his strength and survival to the teachings of his Jedi Master, Jaro Tapal.
A towering Lasat warrior with his intimidating double-bladed blue saber, and Jedi General during the Clone Wars, Tapal was more than just a mentor—he was the embodiment of Jedi discipline and wartime resilience.
Known for his strict adherence to the Jedi Code and a fighting style rooted in sheer precision and power, Jedi Master Jaro Tapal prepared Padawan Cal Kestis aboard a Venator-class Star Destroyer, shaping his combat instincts and spiritual foundation.
As part of the crumbling Jedi Order, Tapal’s lessons were passed down not just through lightsaber technique or Jedi training, but through sacrifice. His influence, though largely experienced through flashbacks in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, looms as large as characters like Mace Windu or Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars canon.
This article delves into Jaro Tapal’s role in Cal Kestis’ development, examining their bond during the war, the trauma of Order 66, and how the Jedi Knight Cal eventually honors his master’s legacy in a galaxy haunted by Darth Sidious, the rise of the Galactic Empire, and the fall of heroes.
Cal Kestis was trained by Jedi Master Jaro Tapal, a Lasat warrior-monk known for his firm approach to teaching and commanding presence in battle.
Tapal, who once served as a Padawan to Master Yaddle, rose to become a respected Jedi General during the Clone Wars. He led the 13th Battalion of clone troopers and simultaneously trained Cal in the Jedi arts aboard a Venator-class Star Destroyer.
Despite his harsh methods, Tapal’s loyalty to the Jedi Code and his deep belief in the Force made him a powerful mentor to Cal — one whose loss would define the young Jedi’s path.
Jaro Tapal was more than just a combat veteran — he was the embodiment of Jedi resilience. As a Lasat, his formidable physicality matched his mental discipline, making him both an intimidating force and a reliable teacher.
His dual roles as battlefield commander and spiritual guide allowed him to shape Cal’s development with precision.
He may have been rigid and demanding, but those very qualities prepared Cal to survive what few Padawans ever could: the betrayal of Order 66.
Jaro Tapal’s story unfolds primarily through memories, visions, and flashbacks in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Though he appears only in fragments, his presence is felt throughout the game. His teachings form the bedrock of Cal’s abilities, and the trauma of his death acts as a psychological obstacle Cal must confront.
Tapal’s legacy is not just a backstory element — it’s woven into the core mechanics of the game, from how Cal learns new powers to how he understands his place in the galaxy.
As a Lasat, Jaro Tapal possessed an exceptional combination of brute strength and agility, traits that enhanced his unique combat style. He wielded a double-bladed lightsaber with mastery and favored aggressive tactics when facing enemies.
His choice of weapon and direct approach in battle reflected his identity — pragmatic, unflinching, and entirely devoted to protecting others.
His physical prowess was matched by a disciplined connection to the Force, making him a rare blend of brute force and spiritual discipline.
Jaro Tapal held the official title of Jedi Master at the time of his death. Having risen through the Jedi ranks after training under Master Yaddle, he was entrusted with a Padawan and led a clone battalion into battle — privileges reserved only for those who had attained the rank of Master.
His position also came with immense responsibility, something Tapal shouldered with absolute seriousness, especially in his training of Cal and his command of the 13th Battalion.
Cal Kestis was selected for apprenticeship after being discovered to be Force-sensitive at a young age. Like all initiates, he was raised in the Jedi Temple and trained in the fundamentals of the Order. In time, he was chosen by Jaro Tapal to be his Padawan.
Their relationship was forged in the high-stakes environment of the Clone Wars, where Tapal’s demanding training style was shaped as much by necessity as by temperament.
Though Tapal was known for his stoicism, he recognized potential in Cal and committed to preparing him for the brutal realities of wartime.
When Emperor Palpatine initiated Order 66, labeling all Jedi as traitors, Tapal and Cal were aboard their starship en route to Mygeeto.
The clone troopers under their command turned on them, but Tapal sensed the betrayal before it fully unfolded. He defended Cal fiercely, destroying waves of clones and sabotaging the ship to aid their escape. Though mortally wounded in the final moments, Tapal ensured Cal reached an escape pod.
With his dying breath, he passed on his damaged lightsaber and a final message: “Trust only in the Force.” Cal moved forward and the famous double-bladed blue saber had become his own.
Cal’s training with Jaro Tapal was cut short by the horrors of Order 66. Though he survived, he did not formally complete the Jedi Trials or receive the Council’s recognition. Instead, he carried the lessons of his master into exile, hiding on Bracca and burying his connection to the Force.
Over time, and through guidance from Cere Junda and experiences in the field, Cal matured as a Jedi. While not officially knighted through traditional means, he wielded his former master's saber and forged his own path to mastery through adversity, choices, and sacrifice.
The imprint of Jaro Tapal is visible in nearly every choice Cal makes. His disciplined fighting style, reliance on the double-bladed lightsaber, and ability to withstand trauma all stem from Tapal’s training.
But beyond combat, Tapal’s teachings on perseverance, restraint, and trust in the Force guide Cal throughout his journey.
Even when facing visions of his fallen master that challenge his worth, Cal ultimately embraces those lessons, turning grief into fuel for his evolution.
Their bond was complex — built on respect, discipline, and emotional restraint. In Fallen Order, Cal’s recollections of Tapal are tinged with both reverence and unresolved trauma.
Tapal did not coddle Cal, nor did he shield him from hardship. Instead, he believed in shaping a Jedi who could survive the galaxy’s worst trials.
That strict approach left Cal with emotional scars, but also with the resilience necessary to rise from the ashes of the Jedi Purge.
Jaro Tapal was Cal’s official Jedi Master, but he wasn’t the only figure to guide him. After escaping the Empire’s purge, Cal encountered Cere Junda, a former Jedi Knight who became a mentor in his own right.
Though Cere never formally accepted the title of Master, she played a critical role in helping Cal reconnect with the Force and accept his identity as a Jedi. In that way, Cal’s growth came from both Tapal’s foundation and the wisdom of those he met along the way.
Cere Junda stepped into Cal’s life when he was adrift, disconnected from the Force and hiding from his past.
Her guidance wasn’t about formal Jedi lessons, but about emotional truth and moral clarity. She encouraged Cal to confront his fears, take risks, and eventually lead.
Though her methods and past were flawed, her presence allowed Cal to finish what Tapal started — not through ceremony, but through real experience and hard-won conviction.
BD-1, the small exploration droid who bonded with Cal during his quest, became more than a companion — he was a catalyst for healing.
Carrying encrypted messages, maps, and memories, BD-1 provided practical help, but also emotional comfort in the lonely journey of a Jedi in exile.
Along with Greez Dritus, Merrin, and others, BD-1 formed part of the surrogate family that helped Cal find purpose again. Each ally contributed a piece to the Jedi Cal would ultimately become.
While the Jedi Order no longer functions as it once did, Cal’s journey mirrors the growth of a traditional Master.
He has survived betrayal, confronted the dark side, resisted temptation, and mentored others — all hallmarks of mastery.
Whether the title is officially bestowed or not, Cal embodies what it means to be a Jedi Master in a galaxy where such titles now hold less power than actions.
Jaro Tapal may have died aboard a burning warship, but his presence echoes throughout the galaxy.
His teachings live on in Cal, whose resilience, strength, and sense of justice reflect the man who trained him.
Tapal’s legacy isn’t just about what he taught — it’s about the fact that through Cal, hope survived. That is the ultimate measure of a Jedi’s influence.
The memory of Jedi Master Jaro Tapal is etched into every facet of Cal Kestis’ journey—from his defensive precision in combat to his unshakable belief in the Force.
Even as Cal aligns with figures like Cere Junda, Eno Cordova, or Dagan Gera in his post-war growth, it is Tapal’s early guidance that becomes the bedrock of his path toward becoming a Jedi Knight.
Though never knighted in the Jedi Temple, and forever shaped by the horrors of the Great Jedi Purge, Cal Kestis becomes the torchbearer of a vanished generation. His bond with Jaro Tapal lives on not just in saber technique or Jedi philosophy, but in his decisions to resist the Sith Lords who now rule the galaxy.
In the age of the Galactic Empire—where names like Darth Vader inspire fear—Tapal's legacy remains one of quiet endurance.
And for fans following the evolving story of Cal Kestis across Star Wars Jedi games and live-action rumors (with actor Cameron Monaghan bringing the character to life), it’s clear that Jaro Tapal was more than just Cal Kestis’ master. He was the flame that kept the Jedi spirit alive when the galaxy needed it most.
Jaro Tapal held the rank of Jedi Master during the Clone Wars. He served as a General in the Republic Army and trained Cal Kestis as his Padawan.
Yes, Jaro Tapal was a Lasat, the same species as Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios from Star Wars Rebels, although Tapal had a larger build and was portrayed with a more serious, militaristic demeanor.
No, Cal Kestis did not officially complete his Jedi training. His training was cut short by Order 66 and the death of his master, though he continues to develop his skills and mindset throughout Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor.
After Tapal’s death, Cal spends years in hiding. In Fallen Order, he receives guidance from Cere Junda, a former Jedi Knight, but she is not formally his new master.
As of Jedi: Survivor, Cal Kestis has not officially achieved the rank of Jedi Master, though he demonstrates leadership, mentorship, and combat skills that rival those of Masters.
Jaro Tapal’s teachings, discipline, and final sacrifice play a pivotal role in shaping Cal’s identity, trauma, and eventual return to the Jedi path. His legacy is central to Cal’s motivations throughout the series.
