How rich were the Jedi?

Baal · Post by **Baal** » 2007-10-15 06:30pm

In AOTC it is mentioned that the Jedi ordered and if I remember right in the novelization even paid for the Clone Army.

So how rich are the Jedi? Are they basically given a blank check type account by the Republic with the thought that the Jedi would never abuse it?

Or do you think it is more like the Church of Medievel Europe where it was quite common and fashionable for the rich to leave their land and money to the church if they had no heirs.

An entire galaxy where it is considered 'chic' for the rich to make large donations to the Jedi Order would result in them having what would amount to an insane amout of capital to spend. Especially when you consider that the Jedi probably rarely have to spend the money since things like transport and facilities are supplied by the Republic.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2007-10-15 06:45pm

It's mentioned that they are given an account by the Senate to do what they will. How much that is completely unknown.

PainRack · Post by **PainRack** » 2007-10-16 01:20am

Rogue planet states that the Jedi have a stipend from the Senate as well as private donations.... Given the scale of the Republic, such an account must range into the billions of credits, since the Jedi have the ability to field their own starfighter corps, hire ships and etc.

Indeed, Obiwan Kenobi is given what Anakin feels to be a large amount of money so as to purchase the bio-ships.

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2007-10-16 01:33am

Well, Mike has the Jedi Order/Catholic Church analogy on the main site. This would just be yet another corrolation.

So it comes down to this: a Jedi effectively takes a vow of poverty, but The Jedi sure as Hell don't.

QuentinGeorge · Post by **QuentinGeorge** » 2007-10-16 03:01am

Probably along the lines of the Templar Knights - ie, individual members effectively have "nothing" (due to vows of poverty), but the Order itself is fabulously wealthy, with assets in all corners of civilisation.

Not to mention Power of the Jedi states that for every galactic war the Jedi won for the Republic (ie, most of them), the grants kept coming (from temples and training centres on Ossus, to the grand ziggaraut on Coruscant).

To whit:

"Don't the Jedi have this reputation for, well, austerity?"
"They like you to think that, yes! But have big honking Temple on Coruscant! Not come cheap!"
―Gar Gastinin and Vilmarh Grahrk

Lord Revan · Post by **Lord Revan** » 2007-10-16 04:58am

well the maintence costs of the Jedi Temple in Corusant must be astronomical given it's size and that's not counting in the Star Fighter corps and various facilities scattered around the galaxy.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2007-10-17 02:31pm

Jedi do seem to have access to a hell of a lot of money. Syfo Dias(sp?) was able to pay or an entire army without an accountant raising an eyebrow or even noticing. Jedi where also able to run a fleet of the latest starfighters, a huge number of larger ships such as the training ship Chu'unthor, not to mention the cost of maintaining huge buildings like the Temple on Coruscant.

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2007-10-17 03:16pm

I think it is safe to say that the Jedi basically had unlimited funds as long as they stayed in the good graces of the Republic. They probably didn't actually have an account with a huge dollar amount but could access such accounts at will.

Terralthra · Post by **Terralthra** » 2007-10-17 06:22pm

Sifo Dyas was able to commission an army. Do we have any textual evidence that this wasn't a down payment at the start, with the bulk to be remitted on delivery?

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2007-10-17 06:32pm

Terralthra wrote:Sifo Dyas was able to commission an army. Do we have any textual evidence that this wasn't a down payment at the start, with the bulk to be remitted on delivery?

They only make mention that this was a commission. It is shown in the EU that Kamino is one of many cloning centers still under the Republic payroll, thus there is some thought that Palpatine did pay them and continue their use through out the Clone Wars.

The Kaminos go into detail that the army is only partial with more on the way. There was a debate about why would Watto not accept Qui Gon's credit, but the Kaminos would that I had with Mike and Stas. The general agreement is that there was some collateral the Jedi and by extension the Republic could provide that would make up for any loss in worth of Republic Credits.

PainRack · Post by **PainRack** » 2007-10-18 12:31am

havokeff wrote:I think it is safe to say that the Jedi basically had unlimited funds as long as they stayed in the good graces of the Republic. They probably didn't actually have an account with a huge dollar amount but could access such accounts at will.

Rogue Planet states that they do have an account that's paid for by the Senate, and I believe the NJO sourcebook also states that the Old Republic Jedi enjoy funds given by the OR.

Perhaps there is a department in the Judicaries which is responsible for the upkeep of the Jedi order?

Baal · Post by **Baal** » 2007-10-18 12:52pm

Ghost Rider wrote:
Terralthra wrote:Sifo Dyas was able to commission an army. Do we have any textual evidence that this wasn't a down payment at the start, with the bulk to be remitted on delivery?
They only make mention that this was a commission. It is shown in the EU that Kamino is one of many cloning centers still under the Republic payroll, thus there is some thought that Palpatine did pay them and continue their use through out the Clone Wars.

The Kaminos go into detail that the army is only partial with more on the way. There was a debate about why would Watto not accept Qui Gon's credit, but the Kaminos would that I had with Mike and Stas. The general agreement is that there was some collateral the Jedi and by extension the Republic could provide that would make up for any loss in worth of Republic Credits.

The Kaminos have decent relations for currency exchange while Watto would have to go through the Hutts who charge such a huge fee for currency exchange that it makes Republic credits almost worthless?

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2007-10-18 03:00pm

Baal wrote:
Ghost Rider wrote:
Terralthra wrote:Sifo Dyas was able to commission an army. Do we have any textual evidence that this wasn't a down payment at the start, with the bulk to be remitted on delivery?
They only make mention that this was a commission. It is shown in the EU that Kamino is one of many cloning centers still under the Republic payroll, thus there is some thought that Palpatine did pay them and continue their use through out the Clone Wars.

The Kaminos go into detail that the army is only partial with more on the way. There was a debate about why would Watto not accept Qui Gon's credit, but the Kaminos would that I had with Mike and Stas. The general agreement is that there was some collateral the Jedi and by extension the Republic could provide that would make up for any loss in worth of Republic Credits.

The Kaminos have decent relations for currency exchange while Watto would have to go through the Hutts who charge such a huge fee for currency exchange that it makes Republic credits almost worthless?

Perhaps if Watto had known Qui-Gon was a Jedi he would have accepted the credits, or at least the promise that Qui-Gon would make good on his word.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2007-10-18 07:34pm

PainRack wrote:Rogue planet states that the Jedi have a stipend from the Senate as well as private donations.... Given the scale of the Republic, such an account must range into the billions of credits, since the Jedi have the ability to field their own starfighter corps, hire ships and etc.

Indeed, Obiwan Kenobi is given what Anakin feels to be a large amount of money so as to purchase the bio-ships.

Rogue Planet also stated that that represented a considerable fraction of the coffers of the Jedi: a ludicrous statement given that they were buying a single, small ship from a group that had sold ships to numerous private individuals in the past. The latter part of the scale is clearly erroneous, but the Jedi almost certainly draw considerable funds from the Republic's own coffers (and Jedi are likely given spending accounts in exchange for their services).

PainRack · Post by **PainRack** » 2007-10-18 07:45pm

Master of Ossus wrote: Rogue Planet also stated that that represented a considerable fraction of the coffers of the Jedi: a ludicrous statement given that they were buying a single, small ship from a group that had sold ships to numerous private individuals in the past. The latter part of the scale is clearly erroneous, but the Jedi almost certainly draw considerable funds from the Republic's own coffers (and Jedi are likely given spending accounts in exchange for their services).

I always felt that the statement refers to the amount of discretionary money given to the Jedi as opposed to their operating budget.

dworkin · Post by **dworkin** » 2007-10-19 02:03pm

There's also the prestige factor. "By appointment to HRH" ment while you sold cheap to the monarch everyone else wanted your plonk (becaue it's what Her Majesty drinks) to.

So there may be a value for corporations to 'donate' cheaply to an organisation as prestigious as the Jedi. Imagine the bragging rights and advertising value if it's known that the Jedi use your starfighters, stay at your hostels or even just drink your tea.

"Coffilias Tea - By appointment to the Jedi Council"

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2007-10-19 02:13pm

dworkin wrote:There's also the prestige factor. "By appointment to HRH" ment while you sold cheap to the monarch everyone else wanted your plonk (becaue it's what Her Majesty drinks) to.

So there may be a value for corporations to 'donate' cheaply to an organisation as prestigious as the Jedi. Imagine the bragging rights and advertising value if it's known that the Jedi use your starfighters, stay at your hostels or even just drink your tea.

"Coffilias Tea - By appointment to the Jedi Council"

I'm picturing the Jedi trouncing around the galaxy with dot coms advertised on the backs of their robes like boxers.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2007-10-19 02:23pm

Ghost Rider wrote:
Terralthra wrote:Sifo Dyas was able to commission an army. Do we have any textual evidence that this wasn't a down payment at the start, with the bulk to be remitted on delivery?
They only make mention that this was a commission. It is shown in the EU that Kamino is one of many cloning centers still under the Republic payroll, thus there is some thought that Palpatine did pay them and continue their use through out the Clone Wars.

The Kaminos go into detail that the army is only partial with more on the way. There was a debate about why would Watto not accept Qui Gon's credit, but the Kaminos would that I had with Mike and Stas. The general agreement is that there was some collateral the Jedi and by extension the Republic could provide that would make up for any loss in worth of Republic Credits.

I actually think that it is a lot simpler than that... Wato was a junk dealer, he essentially bartered for a living. Republic credits were essentially fiat money, they have no inherent value and due to the republic not existing on Tatooine in any way other than nominally, he has no way of convincing someone else that this credit chit has real value. It is like going to an isolated south american tribe and trying to pay for a caiman skin vest with US dollars. They will look at you funny. Same basic principle.

Jade Owl · Post by **Jade Owl** » 2007-10-21 02:13pm

We also have to consider the fact that some Jedi came from stupidly rich families that probably contributed to the Order. I’m thinking of the Draays in particular.

QuentinGeorge · Post by **QuentinGeorge** » 2007-10-22 07:18am

Not just them. Dooku came from planetary royalty, as did Oppo Rancisis and Whie Malreaux.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2007-10-22 01:15pm

They cleaned up at Vegas?

(love that one)