The Jedi Handbook

Since the birth of the Galactic Republic, the Jedi Knights upheld the peace. From system to system, grand Jedi Praxeums were established to train potential Jedi in the ways of the Force. For twenty-five thousand years the Knighthood functioned as explorers, educators, and enforcers of justice. Through their strong connection to the Force, they were capable of amazing feats of mind and body. This handbook is a collection of various works by numerous people (mostly from the Star Wars role-playing Game Mailing List) as well as a quick and easy reference tool to help in the design and play of Jedi in Star Wars RPG. The contents of this handbook are in no way meant as a substitute for buying the books; instead, it is an alternate way of looking at the rules and a quicker way to find information than fumbling through several hardbacks.   Text was taken from various web sites on the Internet.

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

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 that uses a Force Point for evil also gains a Dark Side Point in this manner.

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.

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 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 (see below).

A character may not be turned to the Dark Side until he reaches 6 Dark Side Points. Up until that time a character is "safe," but the Dark Side influences his actions. Whenever a character with Dark Side Points is in a position where he may commit evil, the GM rolls a d6 and if that number is less than or equal to the number of Dark Side Points then the Dark Side demands some action for the Jedi to perform.

When a character has 1 to 3 Dark Side Points, they are tempted to commit actions that involve the immediate situation. For example, if an enemy was subdued, the Jedi fighting him may be tempted to kill the villain, even though he has surrendered. To resist this temptation, a Force Sensitive character must make an opposing roll of Willpower, or PER, vs. the GM’s roll of one die for each Dark Side Point the character possesses. Therefore, if the character had 3 Dark Side Points, then the GM would roll 3D. Non-Force Sensitives add their Willpower and PER die codes together (with only one wild die) for their roll to resist, since they are not affected by the Dark Side as much. If the character succeeds, they resist the tempting voice of the Dark Side, and may act normally, but if they fail, the character must perform that action. As an example of such an action, the character is contemplating throwing a grenade into a bunch of Stormtroopers, even though there are some innocents around. If he failed his Willpower roll, he would throw the grenade, thus having the possibility of injuring some innocent people.

If the roll fails, then the character must perform the dictated action, which is usually a direct attack. If the Willpower/PER roll wild die comes up as 1, then the Jedi will actually use the Force in their attack, if it is appropriate, but will not earn another Dark Side Point, since they were not in control of their actions. This may seem cruel, but by this point, the character has obviously made the choice that they don’t care about turning to the Dark Side, or is actually seeking it out, so the Dark Side begins treating them appropriately. Note: that if the player character does not attempt to resist the call of the Dark Side, and performs the dictated action willingly, they automatically gain another Dark Side Point.

Given the three ways of gaining Dark Side Points, there are an equal number of ways to "Turn to the Dark Side", and again, each carries with it, certain consequences (a character turns to the Dark Side upon receiving his seventh Dark Side Point). To decide how a Jedi has turned to the Dark Side, keep track of how he or she has received Dark Side Points, and the majority rules. So, if 3 of the Dark Side Points a Jedi received before turning were from her actions, 2 were from her inaction and the last was from Calling upon the Dark Side, then she is Seduced to the Dark Side.

When a character embraces the Dark Side, they have received most of their Dark Side Points from Calling upon the Dark Side. They get to keep 1D of the +2D bonus dice they received from each Dark Side Point acquired from Calling Upon the Dark Side, and +1 pip from the 1D bonus for Dark Side Point received through their actions. These characters are the favored of the Dark Side. Emperor Palpatine is a perfect example of this kind of character.

When a character is seduced to the Dark Side (Darkness through action), they lose all bonuses except for +1 pip for each Dark Side Point received (except those from their inaction). Anakin Skywalker turned to the Dark Side in this fashion.

Those who are Consumed by the Dark Side (Darkness through inaction) loose all bonuses received from Dark Side Points, and their Force skills are frozen at the level they were at when they turned. These characters are usually obsessed with their past inaction, and their guilt rules their lives. They will not usually act to correct their wrongs, but withdraw to brood about their failures. Many of these unfortunates go insane from their guilt.

Characters who have turned to the Dark Side only gain Force Points when they use a Force Point for evil, as in the rulebook, but we believe that they should still gain character points in the usual manner, since even those on the Dark Side should be able to improve their skills and abilities. How else would you have a villain, or character who has turned to the Dark Side, improve themselves, so that they can return to plague the player characters?

In the Star Wars stories, we have seen three examples where someone who had succumb to the Dark Side was redeemed to the light: Darth Vader at the end of Return of the Jedi, Luke in the Dark Empire series, and Ulic in the Tales of the Jedi series by Dark Horse Comics.

The Star Wars rpg rules have a contingency for returning characters to the light, but in my experience it has left many people confused. The rule states,

This rule is a good one, but it needs some clarification, otherwise, most adventures would end with the following exchange,

The only changes that should be made to this rule is that the character only need drop below 6 Dark Side Points to be redeemed, and must atone for the rest in the usual manner, and that a Jedi of the Light Side cannot just say to the Dark Side character that the Light Side is stronger, they must prove it. If the Jedi can show the Dark Sider that the Light Side offers more strength, the situation forces the Dark Sider to have their moment of doubt. Luke’s strength in the Force, and his convictions to remain in the Light caused Vader to have his "Moment of Doubt" several times during the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Although he did talk to his father, and try to convince him to return to the Light, he made no mention of the Light Side being the stronger side of the Force.

Force users who have been Seduced to the Dark Side lose a number of Dark Side Points as per the rulebook. Those who have been consumed by the Dark Side are much easier to turn back. Since their guilt is what caused them to turn in the first place, helping them to resolve their guilt or to set things right, in an acceptable, justifiable manner, will reduce the character’s number of Dark Side Points to 6. He may not return to the Light until he spends a Force Point in a selfless manner at the dramatically appropriate moment, which he probably had to do to resolve his guilt.

Those who have embraced the Dark Side are the hardest to turn back to the Light. The number of Dark Side Points they lose, for each "Moment of Doubt", is reduced by a number equal to twice the number of Dark Side Points they received through Calling Upon the Dark Side (which would be either 4, 5 or 6...for Palpatine it would most likely be 6).

Returning to the Light Side of the Force is not an easy task though, once the Dark Side user drops below 6 Dark Side Points, the Dark Side enacts its revenge by taking all of the character’s Force Points and character points.

Regardless of how a character was turned, he may not drop below 6 Dark Side Points and re-enter the Light until he proves his commitment to the Light by spending a Force Point in a selfless manner at the dramatically appropriate time (and does not gain the usual two Force Points at the end of the adventure).

If a character turns to the Dark Side a second time, he loses 1D from the attribute or Force Skill of the player’s choosing.

The entire purpose of this system is to give the player a sense of what the Dark Side is going to do to his or her character. Just rolling the d6 and taking the character away isn’t entirely fair. We don’t believe in dictating to a player what they can and cannot do, and telling a player that what they are going to do will earn them a Dark Side Point seems, well...pointless. Players are usually very aware of what their character is doing, and what the consequences will be. Luke did not have some voice-out-of-nowhere tell him that what he was doing was wrong, so the characters really shouldn’t be afforded that luxury. This system gives a player ample warning of what is to come for their character, and allows them the opportunity to redeem the character before it is too late. It also makes for wonderful role-playing possibilities.

Force Points are the manifestation of the Force in the form of a character’s determination and luck. Anyone may spend Force Points. When a Jedi uses one he actively seeks out the Force to give him strength in a moment of crisis. When other, more skeptical, characters use Force Points they pass it off as skill, talent a guardian angel or luck.

When a player spends a Force Point (and he may only spend one per round) all skill, attribute and special ability (like Force Skills) die codes double for the rest of that round. Any die codes not part of the individual (blaster damage, cybernetic implants, ship hull codes, maneuverability, etc.) remain the same. The only exception occurs when a Jedi uses CyberLocke (see New Force Powers). A Jedi who successfully uses CyberLocke in the same round as a Force Point loses 1D for activating a Force Power but all die codes for cybernetic limbs/implants are doubled. This does not effect an implant which could not be manipulated by will or has an external affect (i.e., the Strength of a 5D cybernetic arm becomes 10D for lifting but a 4D finger blaster still only does 4D damage).

Since a character is focusing everything he has into the use of the Force Point, the character can not spend any Character Points that round.

When determining the damage for melee combat, double only the strength portion of the damage code. Example: When a character with a 2D+2 Strength uses a knife (+1D damage) in the same round a Force Point is spent, the damage is 5D+4 ((2D+2 x 2) + 1D). The maximum damage of melee weapons (normally 6D for knives) is ignored when using a Force Point.

@ The bonuses from Force Points allow any number of different actions in a given round as long as the usual dice penalties for multiple actions are used. In other words, you are not limited to one action during the round a Force Point is spent.

All Player Characters begin their careers with at least one Force Point; Force-Sensitives start with two. Force Points may only be gained by spending them.

When a character uses a Force Point to commit an evil act (killing an innocent, causing gratuitous violence, killing when not in defense of others, using while angry or hateful, etc.) The character gains the bonuses listed above, receives a Dark Side Point, and forever loses the Force Point.

When a character spends a Force Point in a selfish act (to save his ass, gain power or wealth, avoid trouble, or pass lies and deception) he forever loses the Force Point but does not gain a Dark Side Point.

If a character uses a Force Point in a heroic effort (placing himself in great danger, fighting the forces of evil, or saving someone’s life) he temporarily loses that point but gains it back at the end of the adventure.

When a character spends a Force Point in a heroic effort at the dramatically appropriate moment (any time success is vital to the story, climatic encounter with a major villain, saving many lives, or blowing up a Death Star) he temporarily loses that point but gains two back at the end of the adventure.

Unless your last name is Skywalker, you don’t just learn the Force . . . you need a teacher. Luke may have learned a lot through self-discovery but that’s because he’s Luke, and you’re not. Even the great Ulic Qel-Droma needed a teacher to instruct him. If you wish to learn a new Force Skill or Power you must find someone to instruct you.

Finding a teacher, especially during the Empire, should never be easy. Finding a teacher should take place over several adventures with the GM dropping clues every now and then. If Darth can’t find him, I’m sure you’ll have a tough time. If your game is taking place during the Old Republic you have the advantage of a Jedi Academy . . . but that really doesn’t make it any easier. It takes much more than a pretty application and a fat wallet to make it into this school; you must prove yourself. After applying to the academy, a Jedi Master, if interested, will send the applicant on a mission of self-discovery to prove he has what it takes to be a Jedi Knight. These tasks are always difficult and few applicants return successful to become apprentices (See Part IV: The Jedi Academy).

@ Jedi Holocrons, tomes, data-pads and the like can greatly assist in the teaching of the Force but never replace a teacher. When using such an item, pertaining to your teacher’s lessons, the time required to learn a new skill or power is reduced according to how much information is available (GM’s call). You must have a teacher to gain any new powers from a library until you reach the status of Master (10D in all Force Skills). A Holocron may be able to describe the feelings and sensations involved in a certain power but without being able to demonstrate it, as only a living Jedi can, a pupil would lack true understanding.

For a Jedi character to teach another the ways of the Force he must have at least 3D in the desired skill(s) and the teacher’s skill level must be higher than the student’s.

For a Jedi to accept a pupil, the student must be pure in his connection to the Force (have no Dark Side Points). A Jedi may not knowingly teach a student with Dark Side Points. If a Jedi knows his pupil has Dark tendencies and decides to train him anyway, he gains a Dark Side Point for himself. A master is responsible for the actions of his students. If a student is turned to the Dark Side, it is the moral obligation of the teacher to bring him back to the Light.

To learn new Force skills a pupil must undergo one week’s worth of intensive training and pay 10 Character Points. @ This amount of time may not be reduced through spending additional Character Points. The Force should never be taken lightly and is never quick or easy. At the end of the week the student gains the new skill with a code of 1D and knows one Force Power of the Master’s choosing.

To improve a Force Skill by one pip costs a number of Character Points equal to the current number before the "D" (just like normal skills). Double the point costs if a teacher is not available. Characters with a teacher must spend one day per Character Point spent (two days per Character Point if a teacher is not available). Training time may be reduced by one day per every additional Character Point spent. A Jedi may learn a new power (of his teacher’s choosing) whenever he raises a skill by one pip. A character never gains a new power when a skill increases if he doesn’t have a teacher.

Force Powers are different effects a Jedi may use to manipulate the Force. A Jedi may not use a power he has never learned but may be able to "stretch" a known power to have a different effect. To do so the GM determines if the desired effect is in the spirit of the power and then assigns a higher difficulty depending on how far removed the new effect is from what the power was designed for.

To learn a new power a Jedi must have a teacher. He may gain a new power after raising a skill by one pip (as stated above) or at the cost of 5 Character Points and five days of training with his master.

Using a power is just like any other action. @ One power equals one action and reduces the dice pool by 1D regardless of how many skills are incorporated into the power. By the time a Jedi masters a new power it is second nature to him. He doesn’t think, "Ok... first I’ll activate Control, then Sense . . ." he just opens himself to the Force and does it. If a Jedi wishes to use Projective Telepathy (Control and Sense) he may roll both skills with no penalty. If he wishes to use the power and dodge in the same round, all die codes are reduced by 1D (not 2D).

During stressful times when many lives hang in the balance a Jedi may reach out with the Force and attempt to use a Power he hasn’t yet learned (Nomi blocking Ulic’s connection to the Force at the end if Sith War for example). At a dramatically appropriate moment a GM may allow a Jedi character to spend a Force Point and 10 Character Points so he may use a power he has never learned. The effects of the power last one round, the user may not learn the power in this manner, the Jedi must make all rolls with normal die codes (the use of the Force Point does not double all die codes as usual), the points are lost even if the effect fails, and if used for selfish reasons the character gains two Dark Side Points.

There are some powers a Jedi may keep going rounds after activated. If a power may be kept "up," its description will say so; otherwise the power drops at the end of the round it was activated. To keep a power "up," the player must declare he is doing so when activating the power. The power continues to run, without further rolls, until the character either wishes to drop it or is stunned (or worse). @ While keeping a power "up." all die codes are dropped by 1D for every power up . . . not for every skill involved in the power. If a Jedi keeps Lightsaber Combat (Control and Sense) and Absorb/Dissipate Energy (Control) "up." all die codes are reduced by 2D, not 3D.

Unless otherwise listed, all powers are activated in the round they are activated. All other powers are activated at the end of the time listed. @ Any time a Jedi, while focusing on activating a power, suffers a distraction (as determined by the GM) he must roll Willpower versus a difficulty determined by the GM (Easy for a gnat buzzing by, Heroic for a Nebulon B Frigate Crashing next door) to avoid loosing concentration and starting over.

Twenty-five thousand years before the birth of Luke Skywalker, a band of noble Jedi formed the Knighthood and built the first Jedi Academy on Deneba. It was a place to teach the Jedi ways and expand the knowledge of peace and tranquillity throughout the galaxy. From the day of it’s inception until it’s destruction during the Clone Wars, it was the heart of the Jedi Knighthood. Supported by the Old Republic it had many resources available and trained numerous honorable Jedi; such as Nomi Sunrider, and Ulic and Cay Qel-Droma.

As mentioned earlier, becoming a Jedi is never easy. It takes years of hard work and an indomitable will. The first step in becoming a Jedi Knight is undergoing Force Sensitivity tests. In these tests a Jedi Acolyte (non Force Sensitives and lowest ranking Apprentices who act as assistants, advisors, etc. to the Knighthood) assigned to an applicant’s home system (or nearest system) briefly meets with the candidate to ascertain his belief’s and reasons for wanting to join the knighthood. The Applicant is then given tests designed to measure the possibility of Force Potential (these tests are designed to rate the likelihood of Force Potential, the only way to be sure is through the Force) and behavior in high stress situations (such as the questions Dekker asks while interviewing suspected replicants in Blade Runner). The Acolyte then sends a recommendation based on the test results to the nearest Jedi Praxeum (Small teaching instillation consisting of one to ten Jedi Masters who report directly to the Academy). After a Master reviews the reports he may take interest in the candidate and invite him to visit the Praxeum. There the Master uses the power Sense Force Potential to determine if the aspirant is gifted enough to wield Force Powers (is he Force Sensitive?) and then gives the aspirant a Quest to prove his worth to the Knighthood. This can be as simple as a riddle (Such as a Zen Koan or "How many apprentices does it take to change a glow rod?" depending on the Master) or, more often, a long, arduous journey filled with danger and temptation. Regardless of the method, the Quest should be a journey of self discovery and humbling insight. If the candidate returns successful (as determined by the Master.... there are often hidden objectives to be accomplished during Quests) he is admitted into the Praxeum.

The early years of training are spent learning the Core Curriculum (Skills and powers all Jedi must know) and working as an Acolyte to neighboring systems. At this time of training an aspiring Jedi will train under several Masters (provided there is more than one at the Praxeum). When a Master has certified that the student has mastered (gained a rating of 3D or two pips higher than the base, whichever’s higher) in all the core skills and knows all the required powers, he is immediately promoted to the rank of Jedi Apprentice and must choose a Discipline (specialized area of study). Once the Apprentice decides what Discipline he would like to pursue he must find a Master of that Discipline willing to further his education. This often leads to Apprentices leaving the Praxeum to find that rare teacher. He then begins intense study of that Discipline’s selected skills and powers. After mastering those requirements (again a level of 3D or two pips higher than the base is standard) the Master has the power to promote the student to the rank of Jedi Adept and assign him however he wishes (following the Academy’s approval). This may include being sent as representatives to a new world, liaisons to the Republic, returning home as an advisor and protector of the peace, or employed in the ongoing war against the Dark Side. At any rate, you are now a Jedi and bound to do as your Master bids.

Upon entering a Praxeum a student begins learning these skills and powers as well as the Control and Sense Force Skills (Alter is not a necessary skill in all disciplines). A Master will usually not allow a student’s Alter to be higher than his Sense.

Core Skills: Law Enforcement, Willpower, Command, Alien Species, Languages, History: The Republic, and Systems.

Core Powers: Accelerate Healing, Control Pain, Hibernation Trance, Life Detection, Receptive Telepathy, Projective Telepathy, Sense Force, Life Sense, and Concentration.

Disciplines:

After a Master is satisfied that a student has mastered the basics he promotes the student to the rank of Apprentice and allows him to choose a Discipline. There are numerous Disciplines (Both Light and Dark) but this guide will only cover the most common of the Light: Artificer, Factotum, Investigator, Meditative, Naturalist, and Warrior.

Artificer

The Artificers are the creators, tinkers, and inventors of the Jedi Knights. They tend to be very technical in nature and posses heightened mechanical empathy. A good example of an Artificer is Cay Qel-Droma who would rather tune a lightsaber blade than listen to his Master’s stories.

Pick five from the following: Droid Programming, Droid Repair, Ground Vehicle Repair, Repulsorlift Repair, Space Transports Repair, Starship Repair, Starship Weapons Repair, Cybernetics Repair, Security, Blaster Repair, Capital Ship Repair, Armor Repair, Walker Repair, Lightsaber Repair, Sensors, Capital Ship Piloting, Capital Ship Shields, Communications, Ground Vehicle Operation, Repulsorlift Operation, Powersuit Operation, Space Transports, Starship Piloting, and Starship Shields

Powers: Absorb/Dissipate Energy, Instinctive Astrogation, Magnify Senses, Speak with Machines, CyberLocke, Cyber Sense and Conduit.

Total Powers: Control = 4, Sense = 6, Alter = 1

Recommended Studying: Warp Matter, Lightsaber Combat, Commune with Machines, Thermogenesis, and Transmutation.

Factotum

Factotums (Peacekeepers) are Jacks-of-all-trades. They tend to be speakers, storytellers, educators and the like. They are trained to adapt to any environment and are given a pretty wide berth when choosing their studies. Factotum is the only Discipline where an Apprentice does not have to tie himself down to one Master. These students tend to roam the universe seeking knowledge from Master to Master (but, as always, what a Master says goes . . . an Apprentice may not take his leave without his current Master’s permission). Many governmental leaders prefer liberal advisors and request Factotums. In general, if you don’t know what you want to study, be a Factotum.

Skills: Pick your four favorite attributes. In Attribute #1 choose 3 skills, 2 skills in Attributes 2&3, and one in the fourth. Chosen skills may not be part of the Core Curriculum.

Powers: Choose two powers from each other discipline which are unique to it.

Recommended Studying: Anything and Everything

Investigator

Whenever there is a mystery or report of Sith activity, an Investigator (often referred to as "Shadows" in some circles) is sent to check it out. These are the detectives, archeologists, and spies of the Jedi. They search for Sith strongholds, research artifacts, infiltrate enemy organizations and solve enigmas of all sorts. These are the rarest of the Jedi and finding a Master is a near impossible task. It is currently under discussion in the Jedi Council to discontinue these teachings due to the risk of losing an undercover Jedi to Dark temptations and the moral dilemmas of teaching deceptive arts. Exar Kun may have been an Investigator before turning.

Skills: Bureaucracy, Streetwise, Archeology (a Knowledge based skill), Investigation, Search, Sneak, Security, Hide, and Persuasion.

Powers: Contort/Escape, Affect Mind, Dim Other’s Senses, Eclipse, Raise/Break Morale, Danger Sense, Enhance Attribute, Magnify Senses, Postcognition and Disguise.

Total Powers: Control = 5, Sense = 8, and Alter = 3.

Recommended Studying: Force of Will, Remain Conscious, Short-Term Memory Enhancement, Lighsaber Combat, Combat Sense, Storytelling, Cyber Sense, CyberLocke, Speak with Machines, Eyes of the Eagle, Mental Translocation, Induced Sleep, Lesser Force Shield, Force Bolt, and Doppleganger.

Meditative

Those who study the meditative arts prefer to exercise their minds, not muscle. They are the thinkers and masters of the mind and spirit. In times of conflict they coordinate the Warriors’ actions through their powerful Jedi Battle Meditation while shattering their enemies’ wills to win. Make no mistakes, they may not charge into battle with lightsaber drawn, but are among the most brave and powerful of the Knighthood. To find an example of a Meditative master, look no further then the legendary Nomi Sunrider.

Skills: Tactics, Survival, Persuasion, History: Jedi, Stamina, Scholar: Area of Interest, and Law: Republic.

Powers: Affect Mind, Emptiness, Force of Will, Postcognition, Affect Emotions, Raise/Break Morale, Enhanced Coordination, Short-Term Memory Enhancement.

Total Powers: Control = 5, Sense = 5, Alter = 3.

Recommended Studying: Farseeing, Remove Fatigue, Storytelling, Instinctive Astrogation, Anticipation, Lightsaber Combat, Danger Sense, Commune with Nature, Commune with Machines, Life Bond, Place Another in Hibernation.

Naturalist

The Force is created by all living things, and therefore must be protected. These Jedi have a special connection with Nature and all life. They are much more than simple park rangers yet far removed from eco-terrorists. They are often sent to frontier worlds to help in the formation of colonies and adapting to alien life. If you wanna scrap with a Naturalist, you gotta go through his Rancor pets. The Twi’lek Jedi Tott Doneeta displayed some of these abilities.

Skills: Tracking, Search, Survival, Hide, Sneak, Climbing/Jumping, Running, Beast Riding, and First-Aid.

Powers: Detoxify Poison, Fertilize, Weather Sense, Beast Languages, Commune with Nature, Eyes of the Eagle, Call Animal, Control Animal, Accelerate Another’s Healing, Emptiness, and Magnify Senses.

Total Powers: Control = 8, Sense = 5, and Alter = 3.

Recommend Studying: All "Healing" Powers (Naturalists are known throughout the Galaxy as healers), Weather Sense, Transfer Force, Danger Sense, Thermogenesis, Weather Control, Predict Natural Disaster, Transmutation, Lightsaber Combat.

Warrior

Although the Jedi Knights are devoted to peace, they understand the Galaxy is not perfect and violence is a necessary evil. These noble Samurai do not believe in peace through superior firepower . . . but superior compassion. Life is precious and should only be taken as a last resort. The Warriors are the primary peacekeepers. They are sent wherever there is strife, anarchy, or the Sith. An obvious example of a Warrior is Ulic Qel-Droma.

Skills: Dodge, Survival, First-Aid, Stamina, Tactics, Lightsaber, Melee Parry, Brawling, Lightsaber Technology and Running.

Powers: Lightsaber Combat, Danger Sense, Combat Sense, Absorb/Dissipate Energy, Remain Conscious, Lesser Force Shield, Magnify Senses, Force Bolt, and Reduce Injury.

Total Powers: Control = 5, Sense = 5, and Alter = 1.

Recommend Studying: All "Healing" Powers, Dim Other’s Senses, Enhanced Coordination, Enhance Attribute, Magnify Senses, Resist Stun, Greater Force Shield, Remove Fatigue, Anticipation, Transfer Force, Raise/Break Morale, and Affect Mind.

Training at the Academy, or at a Praxeum, is slightly different than usual training. Through thousands of years of trial, error, and refining, the Jedi Masters have developed very efficient means of educating. Whenever a character is at a Praxeum, or the Academy, and wishes to learn a new power or increase his knowledge in a skill (provided he has already been taught that skill), add the Master’s die code in instructing (a Perception based skill) with the pupil’s die code in Knowledge and roll against Very Difficult (modified by resources available. i.e. Tomes, a library or Holocron.... GM’s call). For every full five points the total beats the difficulty by, reduce Point Cost and time required learning by one; one Character Point equals one-day training. No matter how spectacular the roll, training always costs at least one Character Point and takes at least one day of intensive training.

Once a Master is satisfied with his pupil’s performance (at least 3D, or two pips higher than base . . . whatever is higher, in all required Skills and Powers) he has the authority, granted by the Academy, to promote the Apprentice to Adept. The Master than sends the Adept on whatever errands he wishes (reporting all the while to the Academy). After the Adept displays proper understanding of the Jedi Code and has a score of at least 5D in all Force Skills, the Master may promote the Adept to the rank of Guardian. The Guardian is still in the servitude of his Master and after demonstrating superior resourcefulness, true understanding of the Light, and a rating of at least 7D in all Force Skills, he goes before the ruling council of the local Praxeum and may, on an unanimous vote only, be promoted to the rank of Knight. At this point a Jedi is still bound to his Master but is usually given freedom to conduct his own business. When a Jedi gains a score of at least 10D in all Force Skills he may, with the recommendation of his local Praxeum, travel to the Academy and undergo review of the Ruling Council for the rank of Master. As with the rank of Knight, the vote must be unanimous. The next, and highest, rank in the Jedi Knights is that of Grand Master. There may only be nine Grand Masters, the Ruling Council of the Academy, at any given time. They hold their office until death or retirement and may only be replaced by a Master with a rating of 15D in all Force Skills who has the support of 90% of the Jedi (ranks Adept through Master) and the support of all members of the Ruling Council. Once a Jedi obtains a seat on the Ruling Council he has achieved the greatest honor available to a Jedi. All members of the Ruling Council are equal regardless of seniority.

There are a few minor changes that must be made to the established rules to reflect four thousand years of technological advances (These suggestions are supplied for those who have not yet purchased the Tales of the Jedi Companion). Here are a few suggestions:

All die codes remain untouched. Keep all the stats the same because as long as every aspect to the technology increased proportionally it should still be fine. In other words, if you want to use what was considered to be a good fighter in the TotJ time period, use the X-Wing Stats and give it a new name. If you want to use what was considered to be an old fighter in the TotJ time period use the Headhunter Stats and give it a new name. The only real problem that would arise is when a fighter from the TotJ time period encounters a fighter from the RPG time period... which should be next to never.

Nothing heavier than a light repeating blaster (which requires an articulated harness ALA Aliens).

Before the empire Jedi were pretty common. There would be a band stationed in every civilized system and perhaps a few in every major nation. The people of the Republic knew, trusted and respected (well, most of the people anyway) the Knighthood. They were law at its highest level and charged with the duty of keeping the Galactic Peace. I suppose you may be able to think of them as the Galaxy’s United Nations Task Force. They protected all systems but reported directly to none, not even the Republic. Please note The Republic has no official power over the Knighthood. They’ve just developed a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship over the years.

Most Jedi characters of this time period are fresh from the Academy. If you want to start players fresh after their early training, have them make characters the usual way (let them make/modify templates however they wish.... an Artificer will have a much higher Technical score than a Naturalist. Also it is reasonable that only space-faring races should be allowed to attend the Academy. This means: NO EWOK JEDI!). After they have their characters, give them 2D more in each force skill and 3D more to be divided up between their required skills, to represent their training at the Academy. They are now Jedi Adepts (assuming they use their points wisely and meet all the requirements) and ready for their Master’s first assignment. Just to keep things fair, let non-Jedi make their characters like normal but with 15D (instead of 7D) to be added to their characters, provided that no more than 3D be added to more than two skills. Just as a fair warning... Jedi tend to be obnoxiously powerful. If you’re going to run a Jedi based game let it be known that it is "high level" and the stakes are great. Non Jedi may have to be creative with their character in a Jedi based game to describe why they’re working with the Knighthood. Some possibilities could be that they’re Acolytes, just doing what they can in the name of Galactic Peace. They could be members of a government the Jedi are sent to assist in a time of crisis. They could be hired by the Academy to transport the Jedi to their assignment. The possibilities are endless.

Bad news for Jedi during the Empire. They want you dead.... bad. Ever since the Clone Wars the Empire has hunted down your kind. The Jedi are no longer treated with the reverence they received during the Old Republic. The Jedi Knighthood is either considered an old legend or just some "hokie religion." If a PC tells someone they’re a Jedi they should be laughed at, turned into the Empire, or both.

Jedi characters of this period should simply choose either the Minor Jedi or the Young Jedi template and create the character as usual. Jedi of this era tend, for obvious reasons, not to be as powerful as those in the Golden Age of the Jedi. They don’t hit the "obnoxiously powerful" stage for a good while; and by that time all the other characters are sporting 9D Blaster skills so it pretty much evens out.

After Palpatine takes that nifty radiation bath, the Jedi begin to slowly pop up again. Those who have been hiding for so many long years resurface and Luke Skywalker erects a new Jedi Praxeum to rebuild the old Knighthood. Players could either be a member of the new Praxeum, a Jedi who was apprenticed to a Master at the end of the Great Purge and went into hiding afterwards, one of the Emperor’s Dark Apprentices turned to the Light, or a Force using Alien of some kind. In other words, base your character on a template as usual.

Characters should never be as two-dimensional as the game makes it. Sure its quick and easy to whip out a template and slap on a few D but, as Yoda is so fond of teaching: Quick and easy are traits of the Dark Side. Templates are quicker, easier, more seductive; they are not better. What Yoda was saying is that players ought to take time with their characters, molding them into three-dimensional beings. By the time you start playing you should know every important fact about your character. I strongly suggest having players fill out a Character Background Sheet (as shown in Appendix V). Have players fill them out and then award bonus Character Points based on depth and originality. Even more points should be awarded to players who incorporate their background sheet into the character.

Examples: Say I’m going to play a Bounty Hunter. I could just fill out the template and know next to nothing about my character or I could fill out a Background Sheet and know how he’d react to any given situation. Better yet, a truly creative player would put his thoughts down on the Background Sheet and write the Bounty Hunter’s Resume to be turned into the GM. Or an Outlaw could write his Criminal Record, or an ISB Agent could type up his Imperial Personnel Record. Sure it takes a bit longer but it REALY adds to the over all enjoyment of the game. Remember... this should be Role-playing, not Roll-playing.

Another good way to flesh-out characters is to incorporate rules from other systems. If you have a copy of a White Wolf Player’s Guide, incorporate the Merits & Flaws rules into your characters. A 1 point flaw pretty much equates to a 1 pip bonus to be added to beginning skills. You might also be able to use the Advantages and Disadvantages of GURPS. Perhaps a 5 point Disadvantage is equal to 1 pip. Whatever works. If it helps bring life to your character, by all means use it.

The Baadu, or Gray Jedi, are a rare breed of force users. They consciously try to remain neutral in the struggle between the Dark Side and the true ways of the Jedi. This is not an easy task, and it is harder to attain even a fair amount of neutrality when one is working with the Force. A very specialized Force Power (The Cleansing) is needed for the existence of the Baadu.

NOTE: Baadu are very rare. NO non-force users (except those with Scholar: Jedi Lore 10D+) should have heard of them, and only Jedi Masters (or any Force users with 30D in total Force Skills) should have heard of them. Note that I say "heard," and not "be a fountain of youth in the Ways of the Baadu." GM’s should not have their favorite tavern owners spinning off tales of the dozens of Baadu-related stories that they’ve heard.

The Way of the Baadu was spawned from Biirta Baadu, a human Jedi Master who flirted with the Dark Side for much of his very long, Force using life. He never actually became an adept of the Dark Side, but became quite well versed in its use. Biirta managed to develop a Force power that was able to keep him somewhat free from the clutches of the Dark Side. He was always just beyond reach. He never taught anybody his findings, but his journal survived. A few copies of his journal were made, and they exist scattered throughout the galaxy.

The Baadu tend to be very solitary. There is no unity in the ranks of the Baadu, and there may be enmity between members on the rare occasions they meet. The way of the Baadu is a lonely path, and few people can maintain the duality of consciousness it requires.

Most Baadu tend to lead "questionable" lives, doing things along the lines of bounty hunting, smuggling, etc. Although these acts are certainly illegal (for the most part), their evilness can be questioned...

When a Baadu commits an evil act, he receives a Dark Side Point, just like all of the other Force users of the galaxy. When a Baadu commits a good act, he receives a Light Side Point. The principle is the same as for the Dark Side Point, except one receives a Light Side Point when committing good acts.

Baadu are consistently attempting to have ZERO points in both. They want NO Light Side Points and NO Dark Side Points. This can be attained by one of two ways.

1) Removal of Force Side Points through Deeds:

2) Removal of Force Side Points Through the Cleansing:

Note: A Baadu character can exceed the Dark Side threshold of 5 DS points and still remain Baadu. To leave the way of the Baadu, a character must actively choose to leave, and the threshold must be exceeded.

Note: The difference threshold should be no more than seven at any time. (i.e. the Dark Side Points minus the Light Side Points should not be greater than 7 or -7) If the difference threshold is exceeded, Baadu lose their abilities (Subtract the lesser number of the Force Side Points from the greater. If there are more Dark Side Points, the resulting number is how many Dark Side Points the Character has. If there are more Light Side Points, the GM can 1.) put Dark Side Points at zero, if the GM does not want to use the Force Side Point System for non-Baadu; 2.) put the resulting number in as Light Side Points.

The Baadu receive Force Points for committing acts, just as other Force users do. When they spend a Force Point for good/evil, they get one Force Point back at the end of the adventure/episode. When they use a Force Point for good/evil at the dramatically appropriate moment, they get two Force Points back.

The Baadu can use Dark Side Powers without automatically gaining a Dark Side Point, however they do receive a Dark Side Point if the Dark Side power is used for extreme evil.

It costs 50 - 100% more cp’s to raise force skills than a normal Jedi. For example, to raise Control 4D to Control 4D+1, with a Master it would take 6 - 8 Character points, depending on your GM’s preference.

As an option, GMs should feel free to impose a dice limit of 5d-10d on Control, Sense, and Alter. This is suggested only if the GM feels this Force-using template is too powerful.

Most Baadu use lightsabers, but some favor blasters. It is a matter of personal preference. If a PC wishes their character to be a blaster toting Baadu, GM’s should incorporate the abilities of the Teepo Paladins.

A note on implementing the Force Side Point System for non-Baadu:

Please note that the Force Side Point system introduced for the Baadu might not be ideal for a normal Jedi. The WEG Dark Side Point system does the job quite well, as far as Jedi are concerned. If gm’s wish to implement the Force Side Point system for non-Baadu, bear in mind that the Dark Side of the Force is MUCH easier to turn to. Jedi who were totally pure before can be turned to the Dark Side, just as easily as someone who’s intentions for the Force were "questionable."

The Baadu Jedi have been a topic of many debates on the Star Wars RPG Mailing List. Many people (myself among them) feel that the Baadu is a cheap way of allowing Jedi to commit evil acts. Jedi should never be allowed to do evil without consequence. That goes against everything the Force is about. The major component in Force using, which keeps a Jedi in check, is his emotional connection to the Force. You take this away and things just become ridiculous. On the other side of the argument are those who feel the nature of the Force is dynamic and always in motion. Nothing, especially something as fluid as the Force, is so cut and dry as to allow only two sides; there has to be a middle ground. Whether you love them or hate them is you’re decision, but it is the GM’s decision to allow them in a game.

The Teepo Jedi is fairly new in the long history of the Jedi tradition. They are a small, but fanatical branch of the Jedi order. They were founded around the same time that the Blaster became the common sidearm by a Twi’lek master named Nars Teepo.

Nars Teepo had a very odd view on life for a Jedi master. He believed in change. He did not think the traditions should remain so static. He believed that the Jedi should change with the times and adopt the use of blaster weapons. The Jedi community didn’t accept this and Teepo was shunned from the order for what was assumed to be embracing the Dark side. Teepo took this very hard and took on the life of a hermit dropping from the face of the universe, but he continued to apply his knowledge to the study of the blaster and its applications.

Many of his old friends and companions in the order refusing to let their friend, a distinguished master, fall to the Dark side traveled to him in hopes of convincing Teepo to change his ways. His fanaticism got the better of many of them. He could not be swayed, but instead had many new converts to his ideas. With this new influx of Masters and students the school flourished in a very isolated corner of the universe. Ignored by the rest of the Jedi community it grew but never overtook its humble beginnings.

After many centuries, the Jedi’s were called to fight a great evil. This great evil was such a threat that the old order swallowed is pride and called upon the Teepo’s for help. The fought side by side as brothers in the Clone Wars only to be wiped out by Palpatine and Vader in the ensuing political chaos. The Teepo’s were no safer than the Jedi’s of old. Many masters hid, but were sought out and destroyed. The only thing that kept the smaller school alive was the hermitic tradition of its founder. Many students and Masters were in hiding from the outset of the Clone Wars and this saved them in the massacres that followed.

Along with following the Jedi code, the Teepo’s have some basic rules that they abide.

The Teepo prefer to call themselves Paladins, not Knights. This has something to do with distinction between regular Jedi. They are still Jedi, of course.

Some very adept Teepo have been known to wear blindfolds at all times. They use their powers to see the force and what it surrounds. During the Clone Wars many of the great Teepo began wearing blast helmets with the face shields welded shut so they could not see. It is the mark of a true Teepo master to actually do this. The more novice students would never wear helmets (it goes against the armor regulation), but many Masters say it is in the tradition of change that the order was founded.

Also some Teepo have been known to wield two blasters at once (see below). This is also a mark of status and ability.

Skills of Note:

Blaster, Fast Draw, Speed Load, Willpower, Brawling, Search, Hide/Sneak, etc.

Equipment:

700 credits, two sets of clothing, blaster pistol (4D damage)

Tricks of the Trade:

Teepo Paladins have perfected blaster use to a fine art, and thus have developed a few tricks with their favorite weapon. First and foremost of these is the use of two blasters at once. Here’s how it breaks down:

Teepo Paladins are able to fire two blasters simultaneously (one shot from each blaster counts as one action) with the following difficulties:

• The blaster in the Paladin’s off hand suffers a +10 difficulty (unless he’s ambidextrous).
• If Dexterity is 3D or above, ambidexterity costs 10 CP (or 1D worth of skill dice at character creation). If Dexterity is below 2D, character cannot become ambidextrous without increasing his Dex to at least 2D. If Dexterity is between 2D and 2D+2, ambidexterity costs 20 CP.
• Single target (a point on the body), +10 difficulty to each shot.
• Single large target (a humanoid sized target; shoot a spot, any spot), +5 Difficulty to each shot.
• Two separate targets, first target = no penalty, 2^nd target +10 difficulty.

The player rolls either their blaster skill, or the Advanced Skill "Double Blasters". (A)Double Blasters has a prerequisite of 5D+ in Blaster. This only applies to pistol-type weapons (e.g.. Blaster Carbine and smaller).

Long before there were lightsabers there were Jedi. After the invention of those graceful weapons Jedi began to lose sight of what the Force was all about and fall into the Dark trap of technology, or so the revered Master Kambei Shimura thought. The Knighthood was beginning to rely too much on "convenient" technology. That’s not the way of life; the way of the Force. Jedi after Jedi took up the saber and left for the stars and the adventures they contained. A Jedi craves not these things. Disgusted at the behavior of his fellow Jedi, Shimura broke away from the Academy with a handful of devoted students and established a Temple on the sixth moon of the third planet of the Nikus system. There he taught his disciples the true gifts of the Force: perfection through inner peace, compassion, contemplation and, ironically, tolerance.

Millennia passed and student after student joined the Brotherhood and learned the teachings of Shimura and the way of Ka, the religious philosophy of the Monks. Similar to Zen, Ka teaches the inner spirituality of life and the soul. Everything is provided by the Force, there is little need for cold, unfeeling mechanisms.

During the Emperor’s great purge, the Temple of Shimura was located by Dark Lord Vader and torn asunder. Few of the Brotherhood were able to escape and spread across the galaxy like seeds. Today, with the Empire removed, these remaining skilled Monks are establishing their own Temples in remote systems to pass on what they have learned.

1) Avoid the use of (unnecessary) technology. "There is nothing that technology may provide that the Force cannot. Why artificially radiate food when nature provides fire? Why ride aback metal creatures when the wind can send you across sea just as surely? Technology is quick and easy. These are traits of the Dark Side. Life should be neither." Although it is true that nothing can be provided by science that the Force cannot, very few Jedi have been able to step across worlds. The modern Brotherhood believes it is in the spirit of Ka to except one’s limitations. The Monks will avoid most technology whenever possible (datapads, blasters, lightsabers, scanners, holocrons, bacta tanks, etc.) but will reluctantly use other forms (starships) when needed (which isn’t often. Followers of Shimura discourage "adventuring" and tend to live entire lives in their Temples. The rare exceptions are traveling teachers and emissaries).

A Shimuran Monk would never accept cybernetic replacements or enhancements, nor are they likely to associate with droids.

2) The way of Shimura is the way of Ka. All answers may be found in its techniques. Ka is the foundation of all Shimura’s teachings. When a student is first accepted into the Brotherhood he begins learning Ka. First simple koans and history and later develop the physical disciplines. In line with the Brotherhood’s beliefs, the process is not quick or easy . . . it takes several years of hard work and devotion.

3) Follow the Jedi Code. Although the Knighthood has allowed technology to cloud their judgment, the Shimuran Monks still believe in the Code.

4) Tolerate the misgivings of others. Shimuran Monks are not retro, anti-technology fundamentalists. They do not attack technological centers or those who choose to use technology, nor do they harass commuters at starports with pamphlets damning them for their way of life. They simply have a different outlook on life. If asked, they will tell a koan of enlightenment. If sought out, they will teach their beliefs (but only those who prove worthy will learn Ka). The Monks do not hate the Jedi; in fact, they feel sorrow for their fallen brothers and would do anything to help bring them back to the Light.

The Monks of Shimura are best known for their mastery of Ka, their proto-martial art. Practice of Ka strengthens the mind, body, and soul. Masters of this art are capable of incredible feats. Through Ka, Shimuran contemplative seek perfection and enlightenment, and with it, they stand powerfully against all who would threaten the sanctity of their Temples. Ka can be broken down into three parts: Skill (Ka Lore), Martial Art (Ka Combat), and Force Powers (Ka and Empower Self). Those who are not Force-Sensitive may join the Brotherhood and learn the first two aspects of Ka but not the third.

Special Abilities:

Ka Combat, Ambidexterity

Recommended Powers:

Ka and all required powers, healing and meditative powers, force bolt, force shield

Equipment:

50 credits, hand-woven Gi