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The Star Wars RP
Force Handbook
(Boli's Unofficial Update)
An update to the SWRP Guide to the Force.
Force Handbook
(Boli's Unofficial Update)
An update to the SWRP Guide to the Force.
Introduction
Often in Star Wars-based roleplay sites and groups, or even in amateur writing or fan fiction, usage of the Force is often described as a set specific spell or power - for example in the Knights of the Old Republic series of games - and even the more recent Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG - Force Push is treated as a set power with a specific effect and matching cost. Due to the required gameplay mechanics, the Force Push power has set ranged, costs, damage and other effects. And for many years on TheStarWarsRP, we treated the Force fairly similarly.
However, this is not how the Force works - both as a literary mechanic in novels or even the films, or in actual practice within the universe of Star Wars. This kind of gameplay-based attitude is in fact a major hindrance to really writing about the full scope and scale of the mysteries of the Force, opening up new possibilities rather than being confined by the limited scope offered through gameplay and canon examples. Since the start of 2016, TheStarWarsRP has officially adopted a looser, more narrative approach to the Force, rather than defining it by set 'spells', so to speak. The following handbook serves as a guide to site attitudes and expected behaviours. However, due to the loose nature of the way the Force is handled, this can cause confusion or even disputes in some cases. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact one of our staff administrators.
Fundamentals
Use of the Force, be it Light or Dark in nature, requires intense focus and concentration. While those of the Light Side call upon a sense of stillness and calm to immerse themselves in its power, those who harness the Dark Side forcibly bend it to their will through the focus of raw emotion. The intense amount of concentration required does limit the Force User, however - having to focus solely on the Force, a Force User may only manifest a single effect of the Force at any given time. This is especially true for sustained effects - that is, manifestations of the Force that continue to occur over a period, rather than creating a single effect. While a telekinetic push, for example, is a brief and quick manifestation of the Force that may only require focus for one or two seconds, other effects - such as using the Force to strangle an opponent - require complete concentration for the duration of the effect, which can take considerable time. Such effects are easily disrupted by outside influences, and as such any Force User would be wise to only use such effects in a controlled environment, where the chances of distraction are low. Even a stray blaster bolt may be enough to cause a seasoned Sith Lord to lose their focus.
There are also limitations to one's use of the Force. Drawing on the Force can be incredibly taxing physically, and while the Force can be used to create extraordinary effects, even the most seasoned Jedi Master runs the risk of becoming fatigued if he or she abuse their powers through extreme or extravagant use. While such instances of exhaustion are rare, they all inevitably stem from careless or reckless abuse beyond all reasonable levels of use reason. Such excesses could result in anything from severe exhaustion to being temporarily or even permanently cut off from the Force...or even death. (1)
1 - Exhaustion should only appear for narrative purposes, or if a moderator or administrator consider Force usage in combat excessive enough to warrant it.
There are also limitations to one's use of the Force. Drawing on the Force can be incredibly taxing physically, and while the Force can be used to create extraordinary effects, even the most seasoned Jedi Master runs the risk of becoming fatigued if he or she abuse their powers through extreme or extravagant use. While such instances of exhaustion are rare, they all inevitably stem from careless or reckless abuse beyond all reasonable levels of use reason. Such excesses could result in anything from severe exhaustion to being temporarily or even permanently cut off from the Force...or even death. (1)
1 - Exhaustion should only appear for narrative purposes, or if a moderator or administrator consider Force usage in combat excessive enough to warrant it.
The Light Side of the Force
The Dark Side of the Force
The Dark Side of the Force is a perversion of the natural order. While the Light Side is associated with compassion, wisdom, and clarity, the Dark Side of the Force draws its power from passion, raw emotions, aggression and, above all else, the corruption of, and destruction of life itself. In direct contrast to the passive nature of the Light Side's influence on a Force User, the Dark Side can have a drastic influence on a practitioner. Even a novice Darksider may exhibit one of many traits of the corrupting influence, ranging from changes in behavior and demeanor such as aggression, paranoia and greed, through to physical changes - and the longer one harnesses such power, the greater these changes become. These may include (but are not limited to) one's skin becoming pale, teeth, eyes and nails yellowing, darkened and visible blood vessels on the skin, unexplained bruising, and in extreme circumstances, atrophy of muscle and flesh, terminal disease and eventually, complete destruction of one's physical form. Such effects may be mitigated for a time, but inevitably the corruption of the Dark Side leaves its mark on practitioners - as a result, many Dark Side sects - such as the Sith - use dark sorceries to maintain their appearance, or cover themselves in frightening tattoos to conceal the corruption eating away at their bodies. Such is the price of the power the Dark Side tempts one with.
Though the price is high, the power the Dark Side offers is unquestionable. Often seen as an easier, or faster path to power, the Dark Side is often associated with more active use of the Force, drawing on it to weaken, cripple or destroy one's adversaries, to empower the self beyond natural means, and to corrupt or alter the natural flow of life, or to sustain oneself unnaturally. The Dark Side demands that one harness their passions and raw emotions to use it - and although Dark Side sects like the Sith are often capable of controlling their visible external emotions, make no mistake that beneath the surface, a bubbling cauldron of rage and greed fuel their power.
Above all else, the Dark Side is notoriously tempting to all in tune with the Force. Even casual use of the Dark Side leaves an impact on the spirit, increasingly tempting the user to give in to its power completely, and practitioners with any notion of being above or beyond the temptation of the Dark Side find themselves inevitably ensnared by it. To underestimate the temptation of the Dark Side of the Force is a truly perilous thing, indeed. (2)
2 - For a deeper explanation of this concept, see this thread.
Though the price is high, the power the Dark Side offers is unquestionable. Often seen as an easier, or faster path to power, the Dark Side is often associated with more active use of the Force, drawing on it to weaken, cripple or destroy one's adversaries, to empower the self beyond natural means, and to corrupt or alter the natural flow of life, or to sustain oneself unnaturally. The Dark Side demands that one harness their passions and raw emotions to use it - and although Dark Side sects like the Sith are often capable of controlling their visible external emotions, make no mistake that beneath the surface, a bubbling cauldron of rage and greed fuel their power.
Above all else, the Dark Side is notoriously tempting to all in tune with the Force. Even casual use of the Dark Side leaves an impact on the spirit, increasingly tempting the user to give in to its power completely, and practitioners with any notion of being above or beyond the temptation of the Dark Side find themselves inevitably ensnared by it. To underestimate the temptation of the Dark Side of the Force is a truly perilous thing, indeed. (2)
2 - For a deeper explanation of this concept, see this thread.
Acrobatics
Energy Manipulation
Telekinesis
Perhaps the ability most famous among Force Users, the art of telekinesis - or moving objects with one's mind - is a broad and exceptionally versatile field. Notable examples of use vary greatly - while a Force User is well known for using telekinetic waves of Force energy to topple over one or multiple enemies, this is but one application of an incredibly versatile school or training. A force user might also harness telekinesis to return a disarmed weapon to hand, or to hurl a boulder at an opponent. Exceptionally powerful force users may utilize telekinesis to open sealed doors, or create spheres of condensed energy that detonate on impact. A Force user may even use telekinesis to crush a weapon, or even another living creature. Using the Force to strangle another individual is considered a deeply Dark Side act, and is frowned upon by the Jedi, who prefer to use the Force to harmlessly incapacitate a foe by instead using the Force to lift a being into the air and render them immobile. Such sustained acts require intense concentration, however, and like all applications of the Force, the focus required to create the desired effect is easily disrupted - one cannot simply shrug off a distraction to their focus.
Healing
The art of healing is, for the most part, a field of study steeped heavily in the Light Side of the Force. Due to the corrupting nature of the Dark Side, certain alternatives are available, but healing is, generally speaking, a field of Light Side studies. The most obvious use of the Force is to apply it to a wound, injury, or disease, using the life-invigorating power of the Light Side to heal either one's self or another. Such use of the Force is not instantaneous, however, and healing techniques can vary in duration depending on the wound or disease involved - while minor injuries may be healed within minutes, a heavily diseased individual - or someone who is injured to near death - may take hours or even days to return to full health. Such an act is incredibly taxing on the healer, as well, and is considered largely impractical unless in the most dire of circumstances. For many Jedi, healing is simply used to stabilize an individual or keep them alive until the individual is able to receive proper medical treatment such as bacta immersion. However, almost all practitioners of the Light Side use the art of healing - even subconsciously, the Light Side may improve one's health over time, lengthening their natural years and providing greater resistance to common ailments. Light Side healing requires close proximity to the individual being healed.
Practitioners of the Dark Side may also heal another or themselves, however, the way in which they draw upon the energies to perform such an act is vastly different. Dark Side healing requires drawing of life energies from another, and targeting it either one the self or another individual. The sacrifice is left in a severely weakened state, and is often killed during the process - such dark methods are far less efficient by nature. Darksiders may also use such transfers offensively - a target opponent may be drained of their life essence to empower the Darksider, healing them or staving off the effects of their Dark Side corruption. However, like healing, such techniques are time consuming, exhausting, and require very close proximity to the sacrifice.
Practitioners of the Dark Side may also heal another or themselves, however, the way in which they draw upon the energies to perform such an act is vastly different. Dark Side healing requires drawing of life energies from another, and targeting it either one the self or another individual. The sacrifice is left in a severely weakened state, and is often killed during the process - such dark methods are far less efficient by nature. Darksiders may also use such transfers offensively - a target opponent may be drained of their life essence to empower the Darksider, healing them or staving off the effects of their Dark Side corruption. However, like healing, such techniques are time consuming, exhausting, and require very close proximity to the sacrifice.
Status Effects
Trances
Similar to trances, the state of Oneness is one of sheer focus and concentration, utilising the Force in a moment of total clarity where only those who reach a zen-like state of inner peace can connect body and soul with the Force, resulting in intense physical skill, astonishing reflexes and uncanny fortune.
Sense
Mental Manipulation
Exotic Sects
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