Date: Wed, 21 Jun 1995 10:23:12 -0500 (CDT) From: McMike Overbo Subject: Re: The Neutral Jedi Baadu / Grey Jedi template by Mike "McDroid" Overbo overbom@stolaf.edu The Grey 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 is needed for the existence of the Baadu. NOTE: Baadu are _very_ rare. NO non-force users should have heard of them, and only Jedi Masters/Dark Side Masters (alternately, force users of 30D total of force abilities) 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. NOBODY knows what a Baadu. The correct name for the neutral users of the force is "Baadu," but they are generally called the Grey Jedi by the people that have heard of them. History of the Baadu: The Way of the Baadu was spawned from Biirta Baadu, a human Jedi Master that 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, for the most part, escaped destruction at the hands of the Emperor during his "cleansing," as most Baadu can hide their "force imprint" much better than other force users. Another force user might be able to tell that "the force is (very) strong in this one," but not be able to tell easily that the target is actually a user of the force. The Baadu tend to be very solitary. There is no unity in the ranks of the Baadu, and there may or may or not be enmity between members of its ranks that meet. The way of the Baadu is a lonely path. Not many people can stand the dual nature of them. 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... The Baadu and Dark Side Points/Light Side Points (Force Side Points) ==================================================================== When a Baadu commits an evil act, they receive a Dark Side point, just like all of the other force users of the galaxy. When a Baadu commits a good act, they receive 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 consistantly attempting to have ZERO points of 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 by Works The Baadu can remove a dark side point by not doing anything evil for ONE adventure/episode. Being "kind of good," but not good enough to get a light side point. GM's, use your discretion here. Baadu should be able to remove a DS point by not doing anything evil. Not necessarily being NICE, but even just the good side of neutral. The Baadu can remove a light side point by not doing anything good for ONE adventure/episode. Being "kind of evil," but not evil enough to get a dark side point. Stuff like killing people that deserve to die, and REALLY enjoying it. Or, if a Baadu was working for the rebels, they'd be able to remove a DS point by torturing an imperial person that wouldn't talk, to get valuable information. 2) Removal of Force Side Points by the Cleansing. When Birtaa Baadu first decided to be a neutral force user, he found that method #1 was unweildy and cumbersome. There were times that he didn't know where he stood in his "alignment" of the moment. After years of intensive study, he managed to develop a very unique and powerful force power -- the cleansing. The use of this power facilitated easier advancement through the force, by far. Baadu wondered how he kept the path without it. There were setbacks, but Baadu found the bonuses of the power to outweigh the setbacks. How to forget the ways of the Baadu =================================== 1.) if you are using The cleansing, stop using it. 2.) If you want to become a Dark Side force user, simply get rid of your light side points, and advance your dark side points to 5. Once the Baadu's DS points equal 5, the Baadu way is forgotten, perhaps forever. No Baadu have yet chosen to leave their ranks.(once the Baadu ways are forgotten, the character advances in the force just the same as a normal force user. All Baadu hindrances and bonuses are lost.) 3.) The operation is the same for if the Baadu character wishes to become a Jedi Knight/Jedi Master. Simply get rid of all DS points, and increase light side points to ten. (remember, the Dark side is quicker and easier) Once LS points are brought to ten, all Baadu hindrances and bonuses are lost. 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. The threshold must be exceeded, AND the character must declare their intent to leave the ways of the Baadu. Note on the Maximum Threshold: 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 number of Force Side points. If there were more Dark side points, the resulting number is how many Dark Side points the Character has. If there were 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 (or have a negative number in Dark Side points... just a thought) The Baadu and force points/Control, Sense, & Alter Dice ======================================================= 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 correct moment, they get two force points back. The Baadu can use Dark Side powers without automatically gaining a dark side point. They CAN, however, receive a dark side point if the Dark side power is used for extreme evil. it costs half again / double as much cp's to raise force skills, as compared to a normal user of the force. For example, to race Control 4d to control 4d+1, it would take either 6 or 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. Curiosities/Miscellaneous ========================= 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 Jedi Paladin Template. They're not much for tradition. The Cleansing ============= New Force Power: The Cleansing (a control, sense and alter power) Control Difficulty : moderate Sense Difficulty : own perception ability value Alter Difficulty : very difficult This power is used to preserve neutrality in the Baadu. It makes them better able to control the force within them, at early levels. In later levels of ability, advancement in ability becomes VERY difficult, as the two sides of the force become further apart. By using The Cleansing, Baadu are better able to resist the temptation of the Dark side, but are much more limited in their advancement in the study of the force. When a character uses the Cleansing, they become a Baadu in all respects. What the cleansing does: Whichever of the force side points is lesser (DS points or LS points) is subtracted from whichever of the FS points is greater. The lesser of the two is set to zero. For example. Say that Birtaa Baadu has 7 dark side points and four light side points (it's been a long time since his last cleansing, and he's been an bad boy!). Once he is done using the power, he will have 3 dark side points (7 DSP - 4 LSP = 3 DSP). He will be left with 0 Light side points (4 LSP - 4 LSP = 0) Note that players of Baadu can't use the cleansing for an easy way out of being neutral; they must actually BE neutral. A Baadu cannot be more evil than good, or vice versa, or their neutrality will be disrupted. 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 that were totally pure before _can_ be turned to the Dark Side, just as easily as someone who's intentions for the Force were "questionable."