“Evil is a word used by the ignorant and the weak. The dark side is about survival. It’s about unleashing your inner power. It glorifies the strength of the individual.”
―Darth Zannah―

The dark side was seen as having been used for selfish purposes, although many darksiders who were accused of such selfishness claimed that their dark side was simply a means to achieve an end. One of the most notable examples was Anakin Skywalker, who embraced the dark side with the intentions of saving his wife after seeing her die in a vision, at the expense of the Jedi Order. Many found the dark side to be addictive, being unable to resist its pull the more they subjected themselves to it. Dark side users became more powerful as their physical bodies slowly decayed. However, some users like Mara Jade noted that the use of the dark side was a practical matter, as the power it granted was more efficient when performing destructive Force powers like telekinesis. Like the light side, the dark side was often treated as though a semi-sentient entity with purposeful designs.

It has been theorized by some (notably Vergere) that there is no such thing as the dark side but only malevolent intent in the user, since most dark side users already had negative intentions in their being or fell victim to the temptations of absolute power and domination. This theory was fervently opposed by the Jedi Master Yoda. Additionally, Darth Plagueis believed that there were both distinct differences between the energies of the light and dark sides and distinct differences in how one drew upon each.

EXTRA: THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE

PERMISSIONS: You must be a Force-user
COSTS: None

If you are a Force user, you can tap into the Dark Side of the Force. You gain a Dark Side stress track tied to your Empathy skill rank. Mediocre Empathy provides a 2 points stress track, Average and Fair gives 3 points, Good and Great provides a 4 point Stress Track while Superb or better gives 4 boxes and a Mild Consequence.

Whenever you would make a roll using the Force, you may choose to invoke any aspect without spending a fate point and take 1 Dark Side stress. You also can take Dark Side stress by acting out of anger or hatred or similar transgressions. As a general rule, a minor transgression should inflict 1 shift of Dark Side stress, while a major transgression (such as taking a life in a fit of anger or hatred) should inflict 2 shifts. You can use your normal consequence slots to absorb dark side stress with an appropriate aspect. Use Empathy to recover from Dark Side consequences.

If you would be taken out by Dark Side stress, you must change one of your aspects to something similar to its original intent, but tainted by the Dark Side of the Force. Mark this aspect so that you know it is influenced by the Dark Side. You cannot change the same aspect twice because of Dark Side stress. Typically, it’s best to start with your Trouble and change each of your other aspects one by one, with your High Concept being the last to change.

Dark Side aspects can only be cleansed (that is, changed back to a non-tainted aspect) after atonement. This is mostly a judgment call on the part of you and the GM, but a good guideline is if you have refused compels on that aspect for a scenario and have taken actions to show that you are trying to move away from the temptation of the Dark Side you may cleanse the aspect. Otherwise, a Dark Side aspect can only be replaced with another aspect reflecting your Dark Side taint. Dark Side stress only clears when it would take you out. You can turn away from the Dark Side at any milestone by changing one of your Dark Side aspects if you have performed heroic acts or taken other action to atone for your use of the Dark Side. You must have taken actions to atone before changing these aspects, and can only change them with GM permission. Having your Dark Side aspects compelled should put you in situations that cause you to take additional Dark Side stress. Otherwise there is no difference from a normal compel.

FALLEN TO THE DARK SIDE

When all of your character aspects have changed by the Dark Side, you have fallen. Take the Fallen to the Dark Side extra and reduce your refresh by 1 to reflect this.

EXTRA: FALLEN TO THE DARK SIDE

PERMISSIONS: All of your character aspects must be influenced by the Dark Side
COST: 1 Refresh

You have become fully consumed by the power of the Dark Side of the Force. Gain a +1 bonus to any action where you use the Force with fear, passion, hatred, or anger. You can no longer take Dark Side stress, but can also no longer call on the Dark Side to invoke aspects.

If you are redeemed, get rid of this extra and change all your aspects to reflect your redemption. Leave all but your High Concept marked by the Dark Side. Regain the 1 refresh spent on this extra. Your Dark Side stress track clears and you can once again take Dark Side stress.