Gaining Dark Side Points

There are three ways a Force-Sensitive character may gain Dark Side Points: Through Action, Inaction & Calling Upon the Dark Side.

Action

Anytime a Jedi knowingly and willfully breaks the Jedi Code he gains a Dark Side Point. This includes any use of unjustified violence and justifiable violence fueled by hate or anger. It is the GM?s duty to decide what is and is not "justifiable violence." A good guideline is any act that makes you say, "Damn, that's cold!" is unjustifiable.

Example: A Jedi uses Telekinesis to suspend a target off the ground (thus taking away its chance to dodge) while other PCs? gun him down. This is unjustifiable.... cool, but still unjustifiable.

A Jedi receives a Dark Side Point this way through using Dark Side powers (Inflict Pain, Telekinetic Kill, Force Lightning, etc.). Any character who uses a Force Point for evil also gains a Dark Side Point in this manner.

Inaction

Also known as "Evil by Association," this is when a Jedi sits idly by while an act of evil is committed, or passes on an opportunity to bring justice to an evil doer. When a Force-Sensitive character is around those who choose to do evil, he must intervene or gain a Dark Side Point. Failure to do so allows the Dark Side to strengthen its grip on the character through his feelings of guilt and doubt.

Calling Upon the Dark Side

When a Jedi's back is in the corner he may attempt to gain a Force Point by opening himself to the influences of the Dark Side. Through selling his soul the Jedi gains a Force Point (which must be spent that round) and an accompanying Dark Side Point (Whether the attempt is successful or not). It is easy to call upon the Dark Side, especially when angry, at first. The first time a character calls upon the Dark Side, the difficulty is Easy. If the actions are not intended to bring harm or pain to other beings, increase the difficulty by two levels. The difficulty raises by 3 points each additional time the character calls upon the Dark Side. The character rolls his Control versus the difficulty number to determine whether or not he is successful. Luke Skywalker gains a Dark Side Point in this manner during the climatic battle scene in RotJ?.

The Effect of Dark Side Points

The consequences of gaining a Dark Side Point differ according to how a Jedi obtained them. If a Force user gets a Dark Side Point from his actions it is due to the temptations to commit further violence. This also opens up new, easier ways of contacting the Force, so the character receives a +1D bonus to all Force Skills.

Example: A Jedi uses Lightsaber Combat and strikes out in anger. He gains a Dark Side Point for the action but realizes he is a better combatant when angry. He now receives a +1D bonus until he A) Wishes to atone or B) realizes that his actions are leading him down the dark path and refuses the bonuses.

If a Dark Side Point is due to his inaction, it is due to his fear and guilt. Since these emotions weaken, instead of strengthen, the character does not receive any bonuses to his Force Skills.

Calling Upon the Dark Side, in addition to the one Force Point already awarded, gives a +2D Bonus to all Force Skills starting the round after the Force Point is spent. After calling upon the Dark Side the character will feel a rush of power remain.

The character may not immediately realize that the added power is something that shouldn't be used, so every time the character successfully uses a Sense power, while using the extra bonuses, the GM rolls a d6. If the roll is greater than the number of dark Side Points the character has, the character senses that something is wrong with his or her connection with the Force. Using the Sense Path power will immediately reveal the influence of the Dark Side, and the danger of using the bonuses, although it may do so in a cryptic manner.

Once Dark Side Points have been atoned for, and even if the Jedi does not atone, the bonuses last only for as long as the Jedi is in the Light. The moment the Jedi turns to the Dark Side, the bonuses are lost. The Dark Side, having snared the Jedi in its power, takes back its favors. However, bonuses gained from calling upon the Dark Side may remain after turning as a reward for actively seeking out the Dark Side.