Whether it is some evil entity, dark god, mystical force, or result of negative emotion influencing the Force, the simple fact remains that the Dark Side exists in very real and very disturbing terms. As soon as a Force Sensitive character begins exercising her powers in tense situations, she may begin to experience certain temptations to utilize her powers in corrupted and disturbing ways. Whether it be a whisper in the back of their mind or just a guttural inclination, Force Sensitives are often tempted to abandon any form of discipline or control and simply allow their raw emotions to fuel their connection to the Force. Taking such a path is often the quickest way to tangible power, but always comes at a cost.
Calling on the Darkside
At any point, a character may declare they are calling upon the Dark Side for their actions, fueling their power with anger, rage, and hatred. This effect lasts for one round, and therefore cannot be used for crafting. The character automatically receives a DSP, on top of whatever DSP they may receive by using said power. Characters who call on the Dark Side are treated as though they possess a -70 alignment for that round and receive the benefits granted for said alignment on any power they are attempting to raise, including neutral or Light Side powers. Fueling a Light Side power in this manner, such as Accelerate Healing, results in an interesting effect where the target suffers extreme agony as negative energy repairs their wounds, similar effects should be applied to other normally beneficial powers.
This bonus applies to both activation and damage rolls. If a power's damage is based on activation, it does not get the bonus twice. If a power is maintained that has been fueled in this manner the user does not automatically gain another DSP. Calling on the Dark Side grants the user Force Lightning if the character does not already possess it, but it may not be maintained. Calling on the Dark Side in this manner leaves the character 'burnt out' for the remainder of the sim, and they sustain a -1D penalty to all force skills unless they call on the Dark Side again, in which case the penalty is removed for that round.
The call of the Dark Side is tempting as it offers a rather noticeable bump in power for very little apparent cost, but the effects fade as the corruption to a character increases. Once a character is below -70, the only benefits she gains are the ability to apply her +2D bonus to all of her powers, including those that would normally be at a penalty due to their Light Side nature, and +2D to her damage rolls. However, even characters lower then -70 still get 'burnt out' from calling on the Dark Side.
Temptation
When placed in a stressful situation or situation where a Force Sensitive may be able to achieve great personal gain, players may receive private messages from their GMs speaking of temptations that go above and beyond the normal call of the Dark Side. Such temptations may include spending additional CP, FP, or taking additional DSP for increased boosts in power, or access to force skills the character does not currently possess. In addition, players may voluntarily ask for the intervention of the Dark Side in a situation that may otherwise seem impossible for them to resolve. When done, this may inflict permanent corruption or other penalties on a character, depending on the will of the Force.
Tangible Effects of Corruption
The corruption of the Dark side takes a physical toll as the character continually channels wild and destructive forces throughout her body. Around -50, force sensitive characters begin exhibiting pale, lifeless, or otherwise discolored skin along with a general increased irritability. At -70, veins on the character's body appear to darken, their teeth generally yellow from decay, their eyes begin toward a yellowish tint while taking on a sunken look, and they often begin lashing out at the slightest provocation or experience paranoia and mistrust of everyone. At -90, characters are so corrupted by the Dark Side that their body begins to wither from the constant onslaught of negative energy running through their body. The character's skin loses virtually all pigmentation, veins begin showing through the skin and are generally black, and irises generally turn a sickly shade of yellow.
Intangible Effects of Corruption
Generally speaking, SWO follows the tenants of the standard Star Wars EU, with the primary focus being on a Light Sided temple, and the things which take place around it. A Dark Sided character may be treated with overt hostility or violence by Light sided individuals, and the current Temple leadership frowns upon fallen Jedi and other Darksiders. In addition, generally Light sided or Neutral factions such as the Rebel Alliance may regard characters below -50 alignment with disdain or distrust.
A character below -50 alignment generally will not be permitted to take the standard Knight trials which Light Sided or Neutral characters take. They will not be given a position of authority within the group, nor will they hold sway or command over any personnel. However, a character will still be able to advance in the Force, as the Dark Side itself constantly rewards its followers with power. In order to advance to Knighthood, a character must undergo an appropriate trial. Any character of -50 or lower alignment should contact the HGM for an alternative trial to achieve this rank. No character may be denied advancement based solely on alignment.
Calling on the Darkside
At any point, a character may declare they are calling upon the Dark Side for their actions, fueling their power with anger, rage, and hatred. This effect lasts for one round, and therefore cannot be used for crafting. The character automatically receives a DSP, on top of whatever DSP they may receive by using said power. Characters who call on the Dark Side are treated as though they possess a -70 alignment for that round and receive the benefits granted for said alignment on any power they are attempting to raise, including neutral or Light Side powers. Fueling a Light Side power in this manner, such as Accelerate Healing, results in an interesting effect where the target suffers extreme agony as negative energy repairs their wounds, similar effects should be applied to other normally beneficial powers.
This bonus applies to both activation and damage rolls. If a power's damage is based on activation, it does not get the bonus twice. If a power is maintained that has been fueled in this manner the user does not automatically gain another DSP. Calling on the Dark Side grants the user Force Lightning if the character does not already possess it, but it may not be maintained. Calling on the Dark Side in this manner leaves the character 'burnt out' for the remainder of the sim, and they sustain a -1D penalty to all force skills unless they call on the Dark Side again, in which case the penalty is removed for that round.
The call of the Dark Side is tempting as it offers a rather noticeable bump in power for very little apparent cost, but the effects fade as the corruption to a character increases. Once a character is below -70, the only benefits she gains are the ability to apply her +2D bonus to all of her powers, including those that would normally be at a penalty due to their Light Side nature, and +2D to her damage rolls. However, even characters lower then -70 still get 'burnt out' from calling on the Dark Side.
Temptation
When placed in a stressful situation or situation where a Force Sensitive may be able to achieve great personal gain, players may receive private messages from their GMs speaking of temptations that go above and beyond the normal call of the Dark Side. Such temptations may include spending additional CP, FP, or taking additional DSP for increased boosts in power, or access to force skills the character does not currently possess. In addition, players may voluntarily ask for the intervention of the Dark Side in a situation that may otherwise seem impossible for them to resolve. When done, this may inflict permanent corruption or other penalties on a character, depending on the will of the Force.
Tangible Effects of Corruption
The corruption of the Dark side takes a physical toll as the character continually channels wild and destructive forces throughout her body. Around -50, force sensitive characters begin exhibiting pale, lifeless, or otherwise discolored skin along with a general increased irritability. At -70, veins on the character's body appear to darken, their teeth generally yellow from decay, their eyes begin toward a yellowish tint while taking on a sunken look, and they often begin lashing out at the slightest provocation or experience paranoia and mistrust of everyone. At -90, characters are so corrupted by the Dark Side that their body begins to wither from the constant onslaught of negative energy running through their body. The character's skin loses virtually all pigmentation, veins begin showing through the skin and are generally black, and irises generally turn a sickly shade of yellow.
Intangible Effects of Corruption
Generally speaking, SWO follows the tenants of the standard Star Wars EU, with the primary focus being on a Light Sided temple, and the things which take place around it. A Dark Sided character may be treated with overt hostility or violence by Light sided individuals, and the current Temple leadership frowns upon fallen Jedi and other Darksiders. In addition, generally Light sided or Neutral factions such as the Rebel Alliance may regard characters below -50 alignment with disdain or distrust.
A character below -50 alignment generally will not be permitted to take the standard Knight trials which Light Sided or Neutral characters take. They will not be given a position of authority within the group, nor will they hold sway or command over any personnel. However, a character will still be able to advance in the Force, as the Dark Side itself constantly rewards its followers with power. In order to advance to Knighthood, a character must undergo an appropriate trial. Any character of -50 or lower alignment should contact the HGM for an alternative trial to achieve this rank. No character may be denied advancement based solely on alignment.