Force Barrier

[Rhysand Sekker]

Force Barrier

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The Premise

Trakaton/Scott and Razia/Luca originally started the hard work of trying to describe in greater detail all there is to know about barriers; recently aided by Zevasa/Cain. With many different changes made here and there it has finally been approved and is here for all of you to read. This is an OOC guide to Barriers and progress in House Horuset, and as such, is not to be taken as an IC document that one could access.

The image below is a pathway, if you will, down the 'tree' of force barriers and divides the abilities into the rough categories of accomplishment a force user should have before attempting a more advanced barrier. Below the image, there is an entry on each power, outlining whether it requires concentration or not, what type of attacks it defends against, and a brief description.

We hope this serves all of you well and, of course, represents our view on the complexity and paths through the progress on force barriers. Any and all, questions and inquiries into this document are welcome privately and can be answered there.

Some of these abilities are accessible in the Archives of the Horuset Library and have enough to set your character down the path to learn by themselves. However, as with all powers, learning from another or training with others will significantly hone what you have read. These powers are; for Acolytes, Force Barrier, and for those above that rank, Mental Barrier. Basic knowledge not sufficient to learn any true theory or practice from can be found for abilities up to Apprentice tier, but not past that. Exceptions to this may exist, but will be noted in the ability profile.

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Spoiler: The Definitions

Physical: Physical attacks are those that come from a physical object such as your body, a sword, lightsaber, debris or a blaster bolt.

Kinetic: Kinetic attacks are those that have notable kinetic impact but do not originate from a physical object, examples are Force Push, and Force Pull alongside other telekinetic abilities & Force Lightning.

Mental: Mental attacks are those that affect the mind, directly or otherwise. Examples of such force powers include Force Slow, Mind Shard & Force Persuasion.

Ethereal: Ethereal attacks are those that are more mystical in origin such as abilities that have a draining effect on you, examples of such powers being Drain Force & Drain Life.

Passive: A passive concentration means this ability is active at all times, no matter the condition or mental state of the user.

Active, Background: Such a concentration means that the ability in question must be concentrated on to maintain, but only to a very low degree. Such powers can be used alongside many others without fear of mental disruption making the ability fail unless under severe duress.

Active, Primary: Such a concentration means that the ability in question must be concentrated on to maintain as the user's primary focus. Barely any other abilities can be used alongside it and if concentration is disrupted, this is one of the abilities that will fail first.

Spoiler: Barrier Progression Tree

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Tier I - Core

Spoiler: Force Barrier

Force Barrier

Concentration: Active, Background

Defends against: Targeted Telekinesis

Force Barrier is an effective personal deterrent against single-target force-based attacks. It can only be applied to the user and encases the user’s body with the force in a way that absorbs single-target Force-based attacks. It offers no protection against physical attacks such as blasters, lightsabers, fists or projectiles, and these attacks do not affect the integrity of the barrier. Force Barrier is available for study in the Acolyte Archives, accessible to all Force Sensitives.

Repeated assaults will break through a Force Barrier unless continually and actively reinforced. This ability requires little to no concentration to be maintained, comparable to other background powers such as Force Augmentation. It is intended to defend against targeted attacks such as Force Choke and Force Rend, alongside other focused Telekinetic abilities. As such, it offers virtually no protection against so-called ‘Area of Effect’ Telekinesis attacks, such as Force Push, Force Wave, and so on. It offers no protection against any form of Force Lightning, Drain, Mentalism, or Sorcery.

Force Barrier does not prevent the user from launching their own Force-based attacks, and doesn’t require a gesture to form; when it does, it is entirely invisible.

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Spoiler: Force Protection

Force Protection

Concentration: Active, Background

Defends against: Telekinesis, Ethereal

Force Protection is an effective personal deterrent against single-target force-based attacks. It can only be applied to the user and encases the user’s body with the Force in a way that absorbs telekinetic Force-based attacks. It offers no protection against physical attacks such as blasters, lightsabers, fists or projectiles, and these attacks do not affect the integrity of the barrier.

Force Protection’s Telekinetic and Ethereal resistance is substantially stronger than that of its precursor, Force Barrier, enabling it to resist abilities such as Sith Sorcery or Force Drain. However, the resistance it grants to these powers is only partial, not complete; it is not advisable compared to, for example, Muiai. As with its precursor, it offers no defence against Force Lightning, Area of Effect, or Mentalist attacks.

Force Protection is completely invisible, and the ability requires concentration to be maintained comparable to that used in other background powers, such as Force Augmentation and Force Barrier. It does not hinder the user’s movements, and neither does it require a gesture to manifest.

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Tier II - Acolyte

Spoiler: Mental Barrier

Mental Barrier

Concentration: Active, Background

Defends against: Mental

A Mental Barrier is the ability to mould the force into a suit of armour that encases the mind of the user, protecting them from having their concentration broken by mental attacks and any pain that might be associated with such strikes. Mental Barrier is available in the archives for study in the Sith Archives, accessible to all Force Sensitives except for Acolytes.

Mental Barrier is a highly effective personal deterrent against mental attacks. It can only be used on oneself and encases the user’s mind with the Force in a way that deflects and absorbs mental attacks. Repeated assaults will break through a Mental Barrier unless continually and actively reinforced. It provides only limited resistance to the effects of Sorcerous mentalism, such as Aura of Uneasiness, similar to Force Protection against Sorcerous attacks. It is not as effective against such attacks as compared to, for example, Arsitsija. The ability requires concentration to be maintained comparable to that used in other background powers, such as Force Augmentation and Force Barrier.

A Mental Barrier does not stop the user from launching their own mental attacks and does not cut the user off from Telepathy, as abilities such as Dampen Presence do. It does not require a gesture to activate. In addition a mental barrier can be used to push another out of the caster's mind if they have already managed to get in. To do so is more difficult than keeping them out in the first place due to the effects of the attacker within the mind potentially disrupting the caster's focus.

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Tier IV - Adept

Spoiler: Tutaminis

Tutaminis

Concentration: Active, Primary

Defends against: Energy

This is a highly specialised technique designed to combat Force Lightning and other energy-based attacks by either absorbing or redirecting them with one's bare hands. Tutaminis is a relatively difficult power for most Sith to learn, as despite being a neutral power that all Force Users can gain, the technique was invented by Light Side users and comes more naturally to them.

At its lowest levels, Tutaminis is only capable of absorbing Force energy - such as Force Lightning - but more skilled practitioners are able to redirect or deflect energy rather than absorb it, or even do so with broader types of energy like heat - including the raw plasma energy of a blaster bolt. Your ability to do this depends on both the skill and power of the Tutaminis practitioner, and the skill and power of the attack they are attempting to absorb, deflect, or redirect. The Force Lightning of a true master will always be more difficult to redirect than others, but a true Master of Tutaminis is able to redirect the lightning of others without even making contact with it physically. In order to fully block blaster fire, you must be at least an expert in Tutaminis; even then, it will be effective only against small arms fire, and cannot be used against cannons, repeaters, turrets, and so forth.

Tutaminis manifests as a blue glow around the hands of the user, which attracts the energy they are affecting to a degree; the range and severity of attraction are affected directly by the user's skill. This power requires at least one free hand to perform, as any objects held will get in the way of the lightning you are trying to absorb. It also requires a physical gesture to interpose your hand between yourself and the source of the Lightning or other attack. Tutaminis cannot be used on Lightsabers.

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Tier V - Advanced

Spoiler: Force Bubble

Force Bubble

Concentration: Active, Primary

Defends against: Physical, Kinetic, Ethereal

Force Bubble is the ability to project the force into a protective sphere that encases the user’s entire body, aiding them in resisting telekinetic, physical and ethereal attacks and the effects associated with such attacks. Force Bubble is not available in the archives and will have to be discovered through other means.

Force Bubble is a highly effective deterrent against all forms of attack. It can be used on both oneself and others defensively and encases the target’s body in a faintly blue sphere that deflects and absorbs incoming attacks. Repeated assaults will eventually crack, then break through a Force Bubble, with the rate of damage depending on what power is used to attack. It is least effective against ethereal attacks such as Force Drain, Lightning, and Sorcery, and most effective against kinetic and physical attacks.

Force Bubble does require strenuous concentration while active and prevents the user from launching their own attacks and limits mobility. When used to protect another, it does not hinder the recipient with limited movement or prevent them from launching their own attacks. Force Bubble requires a gesture to manifest and to maintain. It can be raised quickly, as a reaction to an attack.

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Tier VII - Master

Spoiler: Telepathic Screen

Telepathic Screen

Concentration: Active, Primary

Defends against: Mental

Telepathic Screen is the ability to weave the Force into a barrier of mental power that shields the mind of the user and nearby allies of their choice, protecting them from more severe mental attacks and their side effects such as pain or debilitation. Telepathic Screen is not available in the archives and, as such, will have to be discovered through other means.

Telepathic Screen is a supremely effective deterrent against mental attacks. It can be used on the user and nearby others. Repeated assaults from mental attacks will eventually break through a Telepathic Screen, with the damage to it depending on the strength and power of the individual attacks. A Telepathic Screen also grants the ability to force a presence out of your mind, allowing it to be used reactively in a way that a mental barrier cannot. It is far more effective than a Mental Barrier at resisting the effects of Sorcerous mentalism, but is still not as effective compared to, for example, Arsitsija.

Telepathic Screen requires complete concentration and is incredibly straining on the mind, severely limiting movement. Think of it as the mental equivalent of Warshield. Telepathic Screen prevents the user from launching their own mental attacks and cuts the user and any others shielded by it off from Telepathy. It does not require a gesture to activate or maintain.

Spoiler: Force Warshield

Force Warshield

Concentration: Active, Primary

Defends against: Physical, Kinetic, Ethereal

Force Warshield is the ability to project the Force into a protective barrier that can be shaped into virtually any form the user desires (including bubbles around the user or the user's intended target) aiding them in fully resisting kinetic, physical and ethereal attacks and the effects associated with such attacks. Force Warshield is not available in the archives and will have to be discovered through other means.

Force Warshield is a supremely effective deterrent against kinetic, physical and ethereal attacks. It can be used on the user and other targets, both defensively and offensively, and protects or contains the target’s body in a purple bubble or field that reflects and absorbs all forms of attack. Repeated assaults will eventually crack, and then break through a Warshield, with the rate of damage depending on the strength and type of attack used. It is least effective against ethereal attacks such as Force Drain, Lightning, and Sorcery, though is a significant barrier against these compared to its precursor. It is most effective against kinetic and physical attacks, with even greater durability than its precursor.

Force Warshield does require complete concentration and is incredibly straining on the mind, preventing the user from launching their own attacks while barely being able to move. If used on another target, they are unable to launch their own attacks. When used on another offensively it encases the target in a purple bubble, preventing movement and reflects their kinetic attacks back at them whilst inside of the bubble. It is possible for more than one user to contribute to a single barrier, vastly increasing its durability and/or size in proportion with the number and skill of users added. Force Warshield requires a gesture to manifest and maintain while active. It can be raised quickly, as a reaction to an attack.

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Passive and Non-Force-Sensitive Barriers

Spoiler: Force Resistance

Force Resistance

Concentration: Passive

Defends against: Physical, Kinetic, Ethereal

Force Resistance is an innate form of protection that Force Users gain as they grow in power, granting degrees of resilience against the Force when it is used against them in a way intended to harm or hinder. This means that a being with high Force Resistance with no other defences raised will still be affected by Force abilities, but far less so than a being of lesser power in the Force, such as Non-Force Sensitives or beasts. Force Resistance can never be used to completely deflect, absorb, or negate force powers: it only ever lessens the impact or effects it has on the entity.

The natural environment around us, while touched by the Force, has no form of Force Resistance and so is the most susceptible to being manipulated by the Force via powers such as Telekinesis. A Force User's powers are at their most potent when utilised against non-living things such as droids, and stones, and non-conscious life such as plants.

Non-Force-Sensitives, such as Beasts and most sentient life, benefit only partially from Force Resistance. A user's force powers are at their second most potent point when used against such foes. While able to truly show off their superiority against such foes, a Force user is not quite able to manifest their abilities to the same degree as they can against non-living objects, with only a sliver of difference. The exception to this is mentalism, which requires a living mind to work against and is therefore most potent against Non Force-Sensitives, and obviously unusable against the environment/non-living things.

Force Resistance becomes notable when your powers are used against Force Sensitive beings, even those who are weaker than the user. The degree of difference in power between the user and the target has an impact on how much Force Resistance affects the outcome. Such an impact is only noticeable when there is a difference of two dice or more between the target and the user. When a user targets a Force Sensitive who is weaker than them by such a degree or greater, their Force abilities will still be noticeably lesser than if used on something without life or a Non-Force Sensitive, but far greater than if used on someone of comparable or higher power than the user. This applies to mentalism as well as more physical powers like Telekinesis or even Lightning.

Spoiler: Thought Shield

Thought Shield

Concentration: Active, Background

Defends against: Mental

Thought Shield is a technique used to keep the user’s thoughts, emotions and intents concealed from the prying eyes of those able to use the Force or other, natural forms of telepathy. Thought Shield works by the user focusing intently on a singular thought or concept to the point that the entire surface of their mind is filled with such an active thought. This leaves the user, once competent, able to think clearly deeper in their mind while still actively thinking of the one surface thought that is used to protect their mind.

This technique does not stop mental attacks from occurring. Attacks that cause pain will still be felt, but through such usage of Thought Shield, the user will be much more protected against having their concentration broken, their thoughts and intents read, or their actions influenced through mental attacks, as the attacker will only be able to ‘read’ the surface thought and not penetrate deeper. Thought Shield can be broken through, as if the user’s concentration on their single thought is broken or wavers in the face of an attack the defence can splinter, leaving them open to full mental assaults. It offers little to no resistance to powerful assaults such as Mind Shard or Force Horror, which are designed to penetrate far stronger defences. It offers no resistance to Sorcerous mentalism.

Thought Shield does NOT require the Force to learn, nor does it require a gesture to raise or activate. Thought Shield is a technique that anyone with a strong will can learn, and can thus help them against some forms of mental attacks.

While not actively taught to Soldiers or Acolytes, the existence of the technique is documented in the relevant archives but not exact methods to learn it.