Force skills to pay the bills

[Dominus Maximus]

Hi everyone. I'm kinda new so I'm not familiar with how things are done around here. I was in the process of making a character and I noticed that there's a rule about factions and ranks, where one can only learn powers available to specified ranks. I tried looking for a list, but I can't find it either because I'm not yet familiar with the forum, or because I got lazy searching, or maybe both.

Anyway, here's what I wanted to do:

I was planning on making a Sith Acolyte that used to be a Jedi Knight. Like, a dude who finished his training as a Jedi and knows a lot of basic Force stuff. I was also planning on having him learn Force Lightning in his bio, which he eventually uses and eventually corrupts him. He learned the skill from a Sith Holocron he "confiscated" not long after the sack of Coruscant. Basically, he knows Force Lighting by the time he joins the Sith as an Acolyte. Is that allowed?

If not, is there a certain process I have to go through before I'm allowed to do this, if at all?

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

There is no specific list for which ranks get which proficiencies with which powers, its up to you to use common sense. You're better off saying that he was only a Padawan or initiate, even if well trained, you will need to message GABA the Jedi faction leader about being a former knight, and I don't believe it's that likely, but it's looked at from a case to case basis. It may be best to start with mostly core powers, with maybe an intermediate knowledge of Force lightning.

But I am not a moderator, do what you feel is best with honesty and hope everyone is okay with it, if they aren't they will let you know! Welcome to the SWRP :)

 

[Kiro]

As The Songweaver stated, you will have to contact GABA about having your character having been a Jedi Knight. As for the list of Force Powers and such, we, the Sith Leadership echelon, are currently working on it.

As for Force Lightning: I'm hesitant. But if your character only has theoretical knowledge of the Power, it'd be fine. I'd also feel comfortable if your character were to use it, but harm himself if he ever did it, because as has been stated several times this week, Force Lightning is a very dangerous power, both for the user and the recipient. Jacen Solo, a prodigious Jedi Knight and a member of the Skywalker dynasty, and later Dark Lord of the Sith himself, severely scarred his hands when he used Force Lightning. Yes, a Jedi Knight might possess the sheer power and the experience to use such a complicated power, but he wouldn't possess the right mentality or mastery of the Dark Side.

 

[Dominus Maximus]

Well, moderator or not, that was very helpful Songweaver. Now I know where to start and which channels to go through. Thank you! I'd give you a cookie, but sadly I ate them all. D: I don't mind extending a warm hand of friendship though. :CHappy

Also, thanks Kiro. I've never made any Mary Sues in my RPing career and I don't plan on starting. My character is a "seek-knowledge-no-matter-the-cost" kind of guy, and I actually intend his entire forearm scarred and "Palpatine-ized" the first time he uses it in combat. Also, by Force Lightning, I didn't mean like Force Storm, I meant one streak of electricity (I think what I have in mind is a weaker version of Force Lightning, I just don't remember if it exists). Anyway, I'll make sure to find this GABA you all speak of, as I am eager to start things.

Again, thanks for the help!

 

[Jax Vos]

GABA, as we call her, is currently going by Captain GABArica.

 

[Blondie.]

That brought another question to mind. If a character were to have practiced Sith magic in the past (like the force blast) and their hands were calloused and scarred already, would that improve their use of Force Lightning or would it be relatively the same as before?

 

[Dominus Maximus]

Blondie, I'm just a new guy, so I really don't know much, but I'll give my opinion nonetheless.

I think what makes someone capable of mastering or simply getting better at a certain Force power is down to how well they control the Force, regardless of how well they could withstand the effects of using the powers themselves. Though I would agree that in order to get better at something, we train. Sometimes during training, our bodies get scarred, we break some bones. We eventually heal our injured body parts and they come back stronger, but that doesn't mean we've learned anything from the experience.

So the real question should be: did the person who was already scarred and calloused (I prefer Palpatine-ised) by the Sith powers learn anything significant from his/her experience? If he/she has, I think that may be a compelling explanation as to his/her mastery of Force Lightning.

But then again, I'm new and prone to make assumptions.

Potato.

 

[Kiro]

That brought another question to mind. If a character were to have practiced Sith magic in the past (like the force blast) and their hands were calloused and scarred already, would that improve their use of Force Lightning or would it be relatively the same as before?

No. It'd just mean your hands would become useless. If your hands are scarred, and you slice them with a knife or stick them in a fire, you will still form new scars and be damaged. It's not cosmetic or flavour. It's to give you a genuine consequence and risk to using advanced and dangerous powers beyond your character's grasp.

And Sith Magic =/= ABSOLUTELY No-No to an Acolyte. Especially as it's still diffuse, vague, and frankly, nearly always OP.

But yes, usually, if you do use a Power extensively, over several threads, yes, you will become better in it. But that doesn't eliminate the risk or the consequences of using said powers. But Force Blast/Sith Magic is vastly different from Force Lightning.

I personally despise Sith Magic. 90% of it is banned on the site anyway, because it's, as said a catch-all category for vauge and overpowered Force powers used for one-shot villains and comics to make them more 'evil' and mysterious and a threat requiring big epic heroes, and they are never explained in any amount of detail.

But that's just me, and I'm weird.

 

[Xan]

I personally despise Sith Magic. 90% of it is banned on the site anyway, because it's, as said a catch-all category for vauge and overpowered Force powers used for one-shot villains and comics to make them more 'evil' and mysterious and a threat requiring big epic heroes, and they are never explained in any amount of detail.

But that's just me, and I'm weird.

Weird? Yes? Correct? Also yes. Generally most people try to stay away from Sith Magic for the above reasoning.