Force Power Lightning Flood

Nevermourn

Kel Dor but Scary
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LIGHTNING FLOOD
lightningflood.png
INTENT

Medium to High Stamina Drain​
PVP Enabled​
The Dark Side​
Learned via holocron or from other Sith. Rarely self taught.​

Lightning Flood is a defensive off-shoot of Sith Lightning that is both difficult to learn, and even harder to master. While not as lethal as it's more concentrated cousins like Force Storm or Dark Aura, it has a particular set of uses that prove to be just as effective in battle. The intent of this ability, first and foremost, is to provide a more defensive twist upon the traditionally offensive Sith Lightning, and one that lower ranking Sith would be capable of utilizing once learned. As a result, it is not as powerful as Force Storm or Dark Aura, but is useful nonetheless. Additionally, it serves as one of the dark force powers that Sol will learn from a holocron he's hunting. Regardless, this ability is more Site Lore than personal lore.

Due to the power's obscurity, obtaining it can be done from either the holocron itself, or taught via Sith who already know it. It is possible that with enough time and experimentation, a powerful Sith might discover the power all on their own.

  • Many will recount the ancient tale of Darth Bane, but fewer would utter the history of his dark apprentice, Darth Zannah. It was she who ultimately slew her Lord in battle, before slipping away, unnoticed, to pass on Bane's unique 'way of two', which would inevitably lead to the ascension of Darth Sidious, and the destruction of The Republic. Very little is known of Darth Zannah, and thus her immense power as a Sith Sorceress appears widely unnoticed. Lightning Flood was a particularly notable creation of hers, a far more defensive and less concentrated version of Sith Lightning which allowed a user to cast electricity directly into the earth beneath their feet, forming what would be akin to a lake of electricity that surrounds the caster. Anyone foolish enough to walk upon the highly electrified ground would surely regret their mistake.

    Though the electricity was visible, crackling along the top of both earth and floor alike, it was a dangerous obstacle to navigate nonetheless, and it's use might be the difference between the caster's life, or death.
  • Lightning Flood has a variety of uses, most of which are defensive, as opposed to the more concentrated version of Sith Lightning. First and foremost, the radius of the electrical current that spreads out beyond the caster will depend entirely upon not only the Sith's strength, but also their stamina. Whether Acolyte or Lord, casting a massive, 100 mile wide surge of ground lightning is simply unsustainable.

    Lightning Flood, essentially, forms a small 'lake' around the caster, but instead of water, you have electricity. The caster themselves, provided they didn't make a mistake, are relatively safe should they stay within the boundaries of their not so adorable lightning donut, which has spread out around them. But a caster is not immune to the electricity, and stepping on their own flood would certainly be an embarrassing loss.

    The flood is visible via the short tendrils of lightning that ignite the ground that it is cast upon.

    Typically, the flood expands about five feet beyond the caster, not including the (hopefully) unaffected area that the caster is standing upon. The larger the flood, the more stamina it would take. Additionally, the flood doesn't necessarily need to be cast in a circle around the force user. It can just as easily be used as a 'wall' (note that the flood only effects the ground, therefore the word wall is not entirely accurate. There is no wall of lightning, only an expanse of electrified ground that one should avoid stepping on) in an attempt to block off a hallway ahead, or behind a person, such as in the case of a necessary retreat.

    The flood itself is temporary, and will typically only remain within the ground for a few minutes before dissipating, as one might expect of electricity. Sith Masters (and above in terms of rank and power) will have the ability to cast a far more concentrated form that can last significantly longer, hours, in fact, but the stamina drain is immense, and thus, the ability should only be used at that level when there appears to be no other options. If a Sith of less power attempts such a feat, they will very likely collapse into unconsciousness on the spot, at the mercy of whomever they were attempting to defend against.

    In terms of lethality, it's... not. Not unless your enemy decides they want to stand in it for twenty minutes. Lightning Flood will provide a very much painful shock, in addition to causing muscle spasms, much like it's more commonly seen version, Sith Lightning, but it is generally non lethal to organic lifeforms. The flood can be particularly damaging to droids, however, for they will find their circuitry quickly overwhelmed and destroyed. The ability can be cast while an opponent is face to face with a Sith, but it is not so debilitating as Sith Lightning, and thus many characters will be more than capable of escaping the flood before they are overwhelmed by pain. As, again, this ability is more-so defensive.

    Don't worry though, for all the sickos out there, the fact that this ability is significantly less deadly than Sith Lightning might be a boon! Yes, you can lock someone into an enclosed space, such as a cell, and electrify the floor beneath them.

    Light side characters that are skilled in electromancy or light sided electrical abilities such as Electric Judgement, might be able to create a 'light side' version of the flood, which could then be used to safely incapacitate opponents without the threat of killing them, or to discourage enemies from getting too close. For example, a Jedi might cast the flood around themselves and a group of Jedi healers who are actively attempting to render aid to a fallen ally. Keep in mind, however, that the above restrictions still apply in terms of radius and strength.

    It is important to note the key differences between this ability and others referenced in this write up. Sith Lightning is a concentrated burst of lethal electricity directed via a Sith's hand, while Lightning Flood is not concentrated at all and is directed into the ground. Additionally, it is not nearly as lethal as either Sith Lightning or Force Storm, nor do the electrical currents travel through the air as they would with Dark Aura. Perhaps more notably, a Sith can send a surge of Lightning Flood into the ground at a specific location close to them, but are not required to remain close. This allows them to block off areas, such as narrow hallways, for short amounts of time while said Sith attempts to make their escape.
  • If you know anything about lightning, then you probably know that when lightning flows into the ground, and then up, through someone's legs, for example, it is significantly deadlier than if said person were to just be struck by lightning from the sky. I am very aware of this, despite the less lethal portrayal of Lightning Flood.

    Given that it takes significantly less concentration to cast and is essentially what you might call a 'fire and forget' sort of ability, I thought it imperative that the strength of the electricity be weakened considerably for balance reasons. Additionally, as it was intended as a more defensive ability, it makes more sense that it would be less lethal than it's much more offensive cousin, Sith Lightning. Force Storm might be more your alley, if you're seeking a wide hitting, and very deadly, Sith Lightning offshoot.
 

Logan

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I could easily see this power written as super OP but I think you did a good job laying out its limitations and applications. I'm going to give it the go ahead with the caveat that if someone figures out how to break it, we'll reassess.

Approved.
 
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