Raith Jerriko was trained late in his life in the ways of the Force, as were many, after the collapse of Palpatine’s Empire. Jerriko was both a skilled engineer as well as soldier; however, it was not until the creation of the New Jedi Order under Luke Skywalker did he receive his training. He was taught by Luke Skywalker and Gaius Maximus. While, he did not have initial love for the New Republic he saw it as the Galaxy’s best hope to restore order after the assassination of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
He excelled in his teachings with the Force and became an active agent of the Jedi Order. When the War with the Yuuzhan Vong erupted, Jerriko took his new skills in the battlefield. He aided the New Republic military to hold the advance of the Vong forces into the Galaxy.
It was not until the Battle of Ithor that Jerriko was reunited with his former Imperial comrades. The New Republic and the Imperial Navy joined forces to fight the Vong at Ithor. Jerriko was sent to aid and observe aboard the Imperial flagship Chimaera. While the joint forces were victorious in resisting the occupation of Ithor by the Vong. They were unable to stop the holocaust that the losing Vong unleashed on the planet.
Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon decided to pull his forces to protect the Empire from the Vong forces he saw devastation the alien invaders did to the once beautiful world of Ithor. Jerriko wanted to aid his old friend Pelleon with the protection of the Empire. Master Skywalker felt that allowing Jerriko would benefit relations between the New Republic and the Empire.
Jerriko felt that that the Jedi teachings were only part true. He argued that there was a “Grey” path between the Dark and Light sides. The Force is but a tool and it can be corrupted or made stagnant by dogma by both sides. The force could be used as a weapon as long as the wielder could control his passion.
Pellaeon allowed him create an order of force sensitives that would aid the Imperial military keep order and allow Pellean better control the council of Moffs. Jerriko was named leader of the Order of Imperial Magistrates. The Magistrates were a disciplined military order under Jerriko’s command.
They would serve Pellaeon loyally in creating a just, honorable, and orderly Empire. They serve Pellaeon the Empire faithfully. The Magistrates were responsible for putting down several rebellions to Pellaeon’s authority from within the Empire. Eventually the Order of Magistrates becomes the Order of the Imperial Knights under Emperor Fel.