Another start, another life (Anakin Quest) Reboot

[ganonso]

So let's talk mechanics.

This quest will be using the Fate system or at least a simplified version of it. The core of the system are Aspects. Aspects are things, relationships and conditions who are narratively important. They can be anything: Being a Jedi is an Aspect, having a short temper is an Aspect, being able to hide one's presence from the Force is an Aspect if it's a core definition of your character (Hi Sidious). Basically, Aspects are how you would describe the character in one sentence.

To give examples from canon Star Wars, Darth Vader could have the Aspect: I am more machine than man, Maul: I hate Obi Wan Kenobi, Leia: My thoughts cannot be read. Still Aspects are a double-edged thing in most cases and relate to Fate points. You have a pool of Fate points and you can use them to impose Aspects on a situation. Darth Vader by instance could use "I am more machine than man" to continue to fight while his hand is chopped off as after all he doesn't feel pain from the loss. Aspects can also be compelled, which enable me to force you to either spend a Fate Point or choose a course of action. By instance I could impose on Darth Vader's player to either accept to be deactivated by an EMP for a time, or spend a Fate point to power through using the Dark Side.

Anakin has two preset Aspects: Former Slave reflecting his upbringing in Tatooine which has advantages (speak four languages, is a better mechanic at 9 than most adults…) but also flaws (has holes in his knowledge, is triggered by the sight of slaves, refuses to deal peacefully with slavers). Prodigal Podracer reflecting his piloting skills which again has clear advantages (very good pilot, minor fame in the Outer Rim) and flaws (refuses orders in the air, thinks he is the best). Another Aspect is what you are voting on: Your Teacher.
Skills are rather simple, they represent what your character can do. They are rated from 0 to +8. When you roll a skill you use fudge dice (with three faces +, ,) so you if you roll for a skill where you have 0 you can have a result between -4 (absolutely terrible) to +4 (great). You can notice that means that if you have a skill at 5 you will succeed at least a little most of the time. I'm basing my skill list on the Star Wars Fate edition (https://libskia.so/pub/Star-Wars-Fate-Edition.pdf)

Anakin will begin with
Mechanics (+4): The guy built a protocol droid from scratch after all
Piloting (+3): Luck is pretty good and practice will make it perfect
Athletics (+3): Pretty dextrous
Notice (+2): Good instincts
Fight (+2): Growing up in Mos Espa + basic training by your master
Force: (+2): Untrained but strong

Last we will have Stunts who are skills who are more specific. By instance your Force skill will cover most usage of the Force but you can develop other abilities. Qunlan Vos can use Psychometry to divine what items were used for. Oppo Rancisis know Battle Meditation which enables him to use his social Skills to influence battles and so on and so on.

Your beginning Stunts are

Hand me that Hydrospanner: You can use Mechanics even in the absence of proper tools if you succeed a role (you either use improvised tools or had something adequate in your pocket the whole time)

Skywalker: You gain +2 to piloting rolls if the action is used to overcome a Scene Aspect in a space battle.

 

[ganonso]

The Jedi Order, post-Russan
The end of the New Sith Wars marked a change in the paradigm of the Jedi Order. Before the Jedi were as their name showed knights of the Republic. They were generals and operatives charged with the defense of the state and the championing of the Light Side of the Force. During this age the Order was mainly composed of warriors and their training emphasized combat. What is known as the Jedi Guardian was the most widespread path as the battlefields were hungry for more bodies. They were heroes and shining examples fighting the Sith wherever they were found. They were necessary as the Brotherhood of Darkness churned squads of Dark Side warriors of their own and those could not be met by ordinary sophonts. Consulars trained in the ways of the Force used their powers to impress and fight Sith sorcerers on many worlds and there were but few Sentinels to wage war in the shadows.

Russan marked the end of the war, of all scale wars to tell the truth and the Jedi changed with it, reforming themselves. They had to. Defection to the Brotherhood of Darkness was a permanent problem during the war and none could forget Kaan came from the Jedi Council's own ranks. The Jedi Knights would have a new role in the reformed Republic. They would be diplomats and troubleshooters first, not generals and elite soldiers. As such the curriculum shifted, privileging diplomacy and technology rather than lightsaber dueling. Soresu and Shien, the two forms adapted to blast deflection became the most widespread among those who concentrated on the blade. In truth Niiman the sixth form of lightsaber combat, renowned for the ease of learning and training in it, became most popular by a wide margin.

The Order in which you move is composed for more than half of Consulars, Jedi who concentrate either on diplomacy or the Force. Their role is to avoid war at all costs, fighting only when there is no other solution. Some of them like Grandmaster Yoda use their time to increase their connection to the Force but few truly study martial abilities. The truth remains a Jedi will be more skilled than most of their opposition. In an official mission they are also messengers of the wider Republic and as such afforded a wary respect. As the prevailing interpretation of the Force in the Order remains the Unifying Force, a cosmic principle, it means there are many Jedi Seers even in this age where prophecy seems to fail. Others gain renown as healers or even researchers. Obi-Wan Kenobi is headed to belong to this "class" as he has an interest in diplomacy and negotiation.

Jedi Sentinels are the second most widespread "specialty" in the order. They are accustomed to working in the shadows and are the Order's answer to the rise of criminal cartels. Contrasting with their image of placid monks, Jedi teach their apprentices and initiates the skills to navigate the underworld. To take a grim example, slavery is forbidden in the Republic with the exception of some planets like Rly'oth yet slaves are trafficked every day from and to Hutt Space. Jedi Sentinels are often found in places where Jedi are forbidden to tread for the Republic holds no power in the worlds of the Outer Rim. Qunlan Vos is a good example of this type of Jedi as is his former teacher Tholme. You are aware many are recalled to the Temple to concentrate on the Sith threat.

Jedi Guardians are now a rarity. To tell the truth they are considered as unneeded in the modern days yet they have never disappeared. You can divide them in two camps. The first is composed of lightsabers enthusiasts. It is a bit of a paradox but the absence of lightsaber-wielding foes gave the Jedi much time in the sparring arena. Vapaad could not have been developed in a more warlike age where Teacher Windu would have been forced to restrain his technique to the necessities of the battlefields. More numerous are Jedi pilots who see the most action as they specialize in the taking out of slavers and pilots.

Ironically the training of the modern Order members as operatives with a vast repertoire of mundane skills to rely on, would have met the approval of the ancient Darth Traya. The Order is inadaptated to the open field and indeed incidents where Jedi delegations are dragged in open battles are often disastrous in terms of losses, yet it is outside these situations the Knights shine. One could even whisper that Dooku's conduct on Galidraan was foolish as he led his forces to confront the Mandalorians head-on.

 

[ganonso]

Interestingly enough you have chosen two Aspects in tension which means an Anakin which both adheres to Jedi Philosophy and to his homeworld's belief systems. That promises to be interesting indeed.


Anakin Skywalker
Aspects
Former Slave: You grew up on Tatooine, nourished by the three suns under the yoke of Watoo. A talent with mechanics you learned all he had to teach you which was mostly practical knowledge. In the Slave Quarters of Mos Espa you learned three tongue spoken across the stars: Basic, Rhyl and Hutttese, as well as Amatakka the tongue of the mother, the secret and sacred language of the slaves. Yet this upbrigning had more flaws than merits. While you were learning the skills of your trade you weren't taught in many subjects younglings at the Temple find basic. You have also a slight problem with authority as direct orders in a certain tone remind you of Watoo and cause you to lash in insolence. This Aspect will be used to compel you in situation where your lack of theoretical knowledge, or background is a disadvantage. You can invoke it to benefit from your surpernatural mechanic skill and your familiarity with the Outer Rim. It can also be used to recognize members of the Tatooine diaspora (and compel you to care for them)

Prodigal Podracer: Your skill with the Force expresses itself in a talent for flying and you proved your worth both in the Boonta's Eve and in the Battle of Naboo. When you are in space you precognitive skills are increased and few can duel you in the air. You are sure you could hit a two-meters exhaust port without breaking much of a sweat. Yet your chance has made you cocky and fearless. Obeying orders in the air is a shore, especially when you consider nearly everyone less skilled than you. This Aspect will be used to compel you to acts of daring in space and vehicles in what will be known as the Anakin driving style. You can invoke it for your own fearless acts of piloting

Padawan of Mace Windu: The only Jedi as famous in the Order as Yoda, Mace Windu is the embodiment of the Jedi Knight. He is recognized by the Republic as a great warrior and by the Jedi by one of the rare persons able to develop a whole form of lightsaber combat. It brings many expectations for all of Mace's students grew to be legendary fighters of their own. Depa Billaba who stands in the Council will help you as she would help a younger brother and train you if your master would prove unavailable. Mace's teaching style is physically exhausting as he is a firm believer in moving meditation and physical conditioning yet he also teaches skills rarely seen in the Order. He demands the best from you but his are not the harsh words of Dooku or the Dark Woman. More than the saber, he teaches a code where the mighty must defend the weak and the brave give courage to the fearful. This Aspect will be used to compel you into doing Mace's will and obey his orders. Yet it can be invoked to recognize fighting styles, even exotic ones, provide bonuses to physical actions due to your intense training, or even access information as Padawan of a Council Member. It can also be invoked to retroactively having been warned by your master of a Shatterpoint in the situation.

True Believer: You really believe the Jedi Code. Yes it's strange but you found peace in the teachings of the Jedi, even the reliefs given to you by Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. There is no passion, there is serenity, there is no chaos, there is harmony, there is no passion, there is peace. There is no death, there is the Force. You are not sure you understand all the ramifications of the words but you believe them. When you meditate you seem to connect with the universe, touching a light who fills you with joy. There is pain, there is darkness but you know in the end things will work out. This Aspect will be used to compel you into acting to the Jedi Code. You can invoke it to resist temptation by evil or increase your status among the Jedi.

Child of the Mother: You are Anakin Ekkreth of Tatooine, you were a slave and even if you are free, you remain a child of the three suns. You know of your destiny. Your mother told you as she walked into the desert sent by her master Gardulla, she heard the voice of Ar-Amu in the storm asking if she accepted to bear the storm and the reckoning of the masters. She accepted and when she returned to her master's side she was pregnant without having known a man. You are fully intent of realizing your destiny and take your place among the prophets of your people. You have several ideas to do that, going from the impractical and certainly not allowed by the Jedi to the devious. For the moment you continue in your ambition of creating a scanner to see where the transmitters bombs are hidden in their flesh. To create something that can be efficient, easily hidden and crafted by slaves is difficult but you will manage, there is no other options. This Aspect will be used to compel you to turn your mind into Tatooine and the plight of slaves. You can invoke when doing things dedicated to the end of slavery or links with the Tatooine diaspora.

Skills
Mechanics (+4): The guy built a protocol droid from scratch after all
Piloting (+3): Luck is pretty good and practice will make it perfect
Athletics (+3): Pretty dextrous
Notice (+2): Good instincts
Fight (+2): Growing up in Mos Espa + basic training by your master
Force: (+2): Untrained but strong

Fate Points: 3
Stunts
Hand me that Hydrospanner: You can use Mechanics even in the absence of proper tools if you succeed a role (you either use improvised tools or had something adequate in your pocket the whole time)

Skywalker: You gain +2 to piloting rolls if the action is used to overcome a Scene Aspect in a space battle.

Form VI: Niiman: Can use Force for combat representing your style

Force Cloak: Can use Force for Stealth

 

[ganonso]

Force Thoughts
So while the discussion is interesting and as someone who made his P.H.D on the mythical aspects of Star Wars, I can bear witness the Force is presented somewhat incoherently through the franchise with many different writers having their own opinions on the subject, I'm going to bring the hammer in.

The Force is an energy field produced by every living being and who is present in all things. Some people, even entire species, are able to perceive and manipulate this energy field and are called Force-Sensitive. I should note that in this quest midichlorians are microorganisms attracted to high concentrations of the Forces yet a high midichlorian count is not indicative of anything but raw potential. Anakin has the highest count in the Order but you would be trounced by every one with experience.

The ability of perceiving the Force is a sense. As such it can be destroyed through some techniques. Still when one is cut from the Force as a punishment it just means they can't feel it anymore not that the energy is purposefully rejecting it.

Whether or not the Force is conscious is a subject of debate among the Jedi Order and indeed most of the Council discussions who are not devoted to pragmatic matters are on the subject. For most the will of the Force is simply the chain of cause and effect. Others would point to Anakin's conception if they were aware of it as the sign something else is going on. To not arrange things, there are entities who have transcended the material plane and exist as energy beings and whose existence nobody doubts in the Order since they are well attested.

As for the sides. Well Jedi think one should work with the Force, surrender to it and practice non-action. What has been exposed to Anakin is that a true Jedi strives to not act but to be moved, to surrender to the flow of existence. This is a big root of their policy of non-attachment as they think the universe is constantly moving and so it is useless to try and halt the flow.

Yes this is incoherent with the fact they are moral actors and don't strive for amorality but they spent millennia trying to square this circle. They admit as sapient beings they like the idea of freedom and peace better than bondage and war. But the focus on effortless action and detachment is the reason why they do not seek temporal rule.

For a Jedi, acting on the Force specifically trying to grasp it and command it, overbearing its will with your own is the Dark Side. A Jedi sees the web of existence and think everything on it is as worthwhile as the other. They recognize they are but a speck in the great machinery of the universe and delight in the wonders of the cosmos. A Darksider considers themselves as the center of the universe and try to grasp anything in reach to control it.

This is why Cade Skywalker's healing ability is a Dark Side power. You take the target in your hand and bring it back to life through your refusal to let them go. You impose your will on the universe rather than work through it.

I admit this doesn't explain people like Maul or any of the Dark Side berserkers who seem to surrender to the darkness but when we have POVs of this character type, they still seem to exert their will upon the universe, it's just this will is to kill everybody involved.

There is also something hilarious in that the Sith practice the same non-attachment rule as the Jedi but for very different philosophical reasons. For the Sith, attachments stand in the way of the unfettered will of the adept. Nothing should keep you from doing what you want, not even love or fear.

For the Jedi the Force in balance means the Force is free from the corruption of the Dark Side. The image who is often used is a great river and the Dark Side as a dam who seek to stem the flow and forces the creation of a stagnant lake.

On an individual level you cannot master both sides of the Force. They take two opposite mindsets and one cannot at the same time surrender the self to the Force and make the self the center of the universe. You cannot move with the flow and control the current. Electric Judgment is using electricity already present on the scene, even in one's body, to produce lighting bolt. Force Lightning is sending your intent to harm in electrical form.

What you can have however is people who use the darker side of nature or the cycle of decay without using the Dark Side. The Jedi are the first to defend the idea nothing in nature is inherently wrong or wicked.