“The Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.”
Master Obi-wan Kenobi
The Force is an incorporeal energy field that is generated by all living organisms and permeates the universe and all things within.
Manifestations of the Force, which are mentally-based abilities and tapped through the practitioner’s willpower, include telepathy, telekinesis, precognition, clairvoyance, enhanced physical and metaphysical perception as well as the abilities to bend the will of the weak-minded, and improve one’s own physical ability. The Force can also be used to allow one’s body to be guided by the Force itself. Through this ability one can cease to react to his or her surroundings and predict the future, such as the next blow in a duel.
In addition to the above powers, Force-users are also capable of attacks through the Force by producing “Force lightning” from their hands, which inflicts terrible pain on its victims and can be lethal. Because of the philosophical beliefs of the Jedi, they rarely use this ability, so much that it’s virtually exclusive to the Sith and other powerful dark Force-users. The Sith powers usually are powers that would be more offensive; while light side powers are usually more defensive.
Jedi get their ability to understand the Force from symbiotic organisms within their bodies called midi-chlorians. Also known as “the messengers of life,” these organisms allow a Jedi to “hear the Force,” and it is said that “without them, life could not exist” The higher the midi-chlorian count in their cells, the stronger the Force is with the particular individual. Their presence can be sensed by other Jedi, although exact count cannot be determined without the aid of a computerized blood test.
The Force can only be harnessed by a minority of beings described as “Force-sensitive.” These have been defined as having a high count of midi-chlorians. The more midi-chlorians, the greater the person’s Force ability, or having a strong Force “aura.” Those who are Force sensitive are able to tap into the Force to perform acts of great skill and agility as well as control and shape the world around them.
The Force is life, and life is the Force. Some think of the Force as a sentient entity that may be capable of intelligent thought—almost as if it were a sort of god—while others simply consider it something that can be manipulated and used as though it were a tool.
There are two aspects of the Force: the light (or good) side and the dark side. These are concerned with the moral compass of the Force in its various manifestations. The light side of the Force is the facet of that energy field aligned with good, benevolence, and healing. The dark side of the Force is the element aligned with fear, hatred, aggression, and malevolence; this side of the Force seems more powerful, though it is just more tempting to those that can touch upon the power as it doesn’t impose any restrictions on its use.
Adherence to the light side allows its user to transcend death and become “One with the Force”, allowing the deceased to exist as an energy being who can interact with other Force sensitive individuals.
Traditional Jedi are keen to keep the Force “in balance”. They attempt to achieve this by destroying the Sith and denying the dark side, essentially “keeping balance” by denying balance, as they view dark side as “corruption”. This involves the purging of negative emotions such as aggression, anger, and hatred, since they can easily bring on acceptance of the dark side. In contrast, positive emotions such as compassion and courage nurture the light side of the Force. The Jedi Code compares such feelings and provides insight into the ethical use of the Force.
Homework/Discussion
While this is strongly a roleplaying lesson, it can also prompt both in game and OOC discussions on ethics, especially ethical decisions from an unequal distribution of power … any type of power.
There are three lessons on the Force that are presented sequentially. For roleplaying purposes, there are some digital devices and techniques that were used in the Star Wars Sims to roleplay “using the Force” but with limitations so that the game continued to be fun for all.
Jedi Temple Library 