Eno Cordova, voiced by Tony Amendola, stands as a significant figure in the Star Wars universe, primarily through the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game. As a former Jedi Master, Cordova’s journey reflects the rich history and evolving role of the Jedi during the dark times of the Galactic Empire. Known for his role as a protector of ancient knowledge, Cordova serves as a fascinating character, balancing wisdom with a thirst for understanding the deeper mysteries of the Force. Cordova wielded a blue lightsaber, symbolizing his alignment with the Jedi Guardian path, a class focused on protecting the galaxy and preserving peace.
Early Life and Rise to Jedi Master
Eno Cordova was born during the waning days of the Galactic Republic. Displaying a strong connection to the Force, the Jedi Order identified Cordova at a young age, and his training began at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. As with many Jedi initiates, he learned the ways of the Force and developed the skills necessary for lightsaber combat. Cordova was not a traditional warrior. More inclined toward exploration and the philosophical aspects of the Force, this Jedi focused on ancient artifacts, history, and knowledge.
During his time as a Jedi Knight, Cordova excelled in uncovering ancient Jedi and Force-related mysteries. Eventually, this led to a promotion to Jedi Master, where Cordova became known not just for wisdom but for a keen interest in ancient Force-related phenomena, particularly regarding the Zeffo, an ancient and powerful species with a deep connection to the Force.
Cordova’s Focus on the Zeffo
Cordova’s fascination with the Zeffo became central to his mission. The Zeffo were an ancient species who wielded the Force in mysterious ways, and their civilization, while long extinct, left behind powerful artifacts and temples scattered across the galaxy. Cordova became one of the foremost scholars in the Jedi Order, dedicating much of his life to studying these remnants. His research took him to distant worlds, where he uncovered the intricate relationship between the Zeffo and the Force, as well as their tragic fall into the dark side.
This exploration would prove invaluable not just for understanding the past but for shaping the events that would follow his demise. During his expeditions, Cordova discovered a powerful artifact known as the Astrium, which played a key role in unlocking an ancient Zeffo Vault on the planet Bogano. This vault, according to Cordova, held vital secrets about the Force and the future of the Jedi Order.
Training Cere Junda and Their Relationship
One of Cordova’s greatest legacies comes from the training of his Padawan, Cere Junda. Junda looked up to Cordova for his deep knowledge of the Force, particularly his understanding of history and ancient lore. Together, the two explored countless ruins and delved deep into the mysteries of the Zeffo. Cordova’s influence helped shape Junda into a powerful Jedi in her own right, though the two were eventually separated during the rise of the Galactic Empire.
The fall of the Jedi Order following Order 66 was devastating. Both Cordova and Junda were forced into hiding as the Empire hunted down the remaining Jedi across the galaxy. Junda believed Cordova to be lost during this period, but unbeknownst to her, Cordova continued his work, creating a path that would help restore the Jedi Order long after his death.
Role as the Protector of the Holocron
Eno Cordova’s most significant contribution to the galaxy came after the rise of the Empire, when the Jedi Order had been all but wiped out. Foreseeing the potential destruction of the Jedi, Cordova dedicated his later years to protecting a Holocron containing a list of Force-sensitive children scattered across the galaxy. This Holocron became a beacon of hope, a guide that could help rebuild the Jedi Order by locating the next generation of Jedi.
To safeguard this information, Cordova hid the Holocron in the Zeffo Vault on Bogano, a location that only someone with the right knowledge could access. His goal was to ensure that the Holocron would only fall into the hands of a worthy successor, someone capable of restoring the Jedi Order in the face of the overwhelming power of the Empire.
Cordova’s careful planning went as far as creating recordings, embedded in droids like BD-1, that would guide any future Jedi in the right direction. The droid companion BD-1, who once served Cordova, played a pivotal role in preserving Cordova’s legacy. The bond between BD-1 and Cordova was more than just one of service—it was a friendship that endured long after Cordova’s passing.
The Discovery of Cordova’s Legacy by Cal Kestis
Years after Eno Cordova’s death, Cal Kestis, a young Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66, began retracing Cordova’s steps. Kestis, guided by BD-1 and the records left behind by Cordova, embarked on a journey to unlock the secrets of the Zeffo Vault and retrieve the Holocron. Through this quest, Kestis learned much about Cordova’s dedication to protecting the future of the Jedi.
The journey led Kestis to the Zeffo temples and eventually the hidden vault on Bogano. Cordova’s foresight ensured that Kestis would be able to complete his mission, as the Jedi Master’s recordings offered insight and guidance at crucial moments. Cordova’s teachings and discoveries became vital to Kestis’ own growth as a Jedi, illustrating the lasting impact that the Jedi Master had, even in death.
Connection to the Force and Holocrons
Eno Cordova’s role as a protector of the Holocron highlights a crucial aspect of the Star Wars universe—the importance of preserving knowledge. In Star Wars, Holocrons are more than mere data storage devices. They are deeply connected to the Force, requiring a user with a connection to the Force to access their secrets. Cordova, understanding this, went to great lengths to hide and protect the Holocron from falling into the wrong hands. By leaving the Holocron hidden within a Zeffo Vault, Cordova ensured that only someone capable of deciphering the Zeffo’s secrets and aligned with the Force’s light side could retrieve it.
The Holocron’s protection wasn’t just about the survival of the Jedi Order; it was about ensuring that knowledge and wisdom were preserved for future generations, even in the darkest times. This protective mentality defines Cordova’s character and illustrates the role of the Jedi as stewards of knowledge, not just warriors of peace.
Legacy of Eno Cordova
Eno Cordova’s legacy is vast and multifaceted. As a Jedi Master, Cordova trained powerful Jedi like Cere Junda, who would go on to play a critical role in the galaxy’s fight against the Empire. Cordova’s dedication to exploring the Force’s deeper mysteries and his fascination with the ancient Zeffo civilization contributed to the preservation of essential knowledge that could have been lost forever.
Cordova’s greatest achievement, however, lies in safeguarding the Holocron and ensuring that the Jedi’s legacy would not die with the Empire’s rise. Through Cordova’s recordings, his knowledge, and the protection of the Holocron, a new generation of Jedi had the potential to rise, even after the near-total destruction of the Order.
