For some Star Wars fans, becoming a Jedi Master is a dream of the past. Yet Aaron Payne, a Western Kentucky Saber Guild member, is one step closer to accomplishing that dream, inspiring other members of the Guild that you can still be a Jedi Master even while being differently abled.
Payne, who has autism and a sensory integration disorder, said he joined the Guild last year after OMG!con and quickly dove into the experience as an initiate. As an initiate, he didn’t have a character name or allegiance to the Sith or Jedi.
But Payne did have Shii-Cho lessons ahead, an introductory combat level for all members. Through Shii-Cho, trainees learn combative and defensive skills that will act as the base for their path to becoming a Jedi Master.
Dark Lady of the Sith Amanda McFarland said that they encourage members to progress through their lessons at their own speed. It took Payne a year to complete the Shii-Cho training.
“I don’t think it was too difficult. It was a lot to learn and start, but I’ve always been a quick learner, so I was able to catch on pretty quickly. But it took me a while to get where I’m at,” Payne said.
After completing each tier of training, the Guild holds an ascension ceremony for the individual. The first ceremony allows members to pick their name, next combat style, and new affiliation. For Payne, he chose to continue the path of the Jedi as an apprentice and begin learning Soresu.
McFarland said that even as the leader of the Sith, she felt his ascension ceremony was a big night for the group as they welcomed Payne to his next level.
“It took a year of working with Aaron before he reached his ascension ceremony, and we never made him feel like he couldn’t do it. We were always very encouraging and were all so proud when he passed his trial because he did beautifully. He did a great job,” McFarland said.
Now known as Jedi Apprentice Rylos Dawnchaser, a name Payne chose through a generator, he will be able to instruct new initiates in Shii-Cho while learning his new style.
The video of his ascension ceremony has garnered over 4 million views across TikTok and Twitter. Responses have varied, but one consistent throughline McFarland noted was other people’s genuine interest in joining similar Guilds.
Over the year, Payne said he kept returning to the Guild’s weekly Sunday meets because it gave him an outlet to express himself.
The Guild may be a role-playing game in nature. Payne said that though Rylos is a character and he can cosplay as Rylos, he finds his participation to be him playing as himself and expressing his interests.
“I’m glad I can just be myself and express interest in things that I like without feeling weird or like a nerd or anything. We all kind of have the same mindset and are into the same thing, and it’s a feeling of community and being able to have fun with people,” Payne said.
McFarland noted that as the group has grown, they have occasionally seen some negative opinions cast upon the guild that range from mocking their cognitive abilities to implying the members are refusing to be adults. With each passing comment, McFarland said she’s thankful her group remains steadfast as a safe space for everyone.
“I’m really proud of everybody in my guild. They’re all my closest friends. We’re being a positive force for our community. Because people don’t think there’s much to do in Owensboro. We’ve put ourselves out there as a positive influence in the community. We go out and do stuff with the local libraries in the area. We put on shows. We give people something to come and watch,” McFarland said.
For people interested in joining the Guild and learning more, click here to see their Facebook group.
