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There are four stages that Force-users experience when stepping onto the dark path: Temptation, imperilment, submission, and atonement or redemption. Every Force-user eventually goes through at least one stage of the dark side in his efforts to become one with the Force. It is the power-hungry, hate-filled, ambitious, tragic, or evil character, however, who experiences two or more of these stages of corruption. Anakin Skywalker, for example, went through each of theses stages over the course of his life, finally achieving redemption with the help of his son, Luke Skywalker.
Temptation
The Force offers unimaginable powers to those who can feel its connection to the galaxy around them and manipulate its subtle lines of energy. Those who are sensitive to the Force live in a larger, more vibrant galaxy than those who cant perceive the omnipresent energy field. The Force-sensitive character sees and experiences the universe from a different, larger perspective. Because of this bond, the Force-sensitive character has the ability to gain incredible powers using the Force-but also risks the untold dangers of the dark side.
Through learning to manipulate the Force, a character opens himself to the first seductive tendrils of dark side power. While any character must be careful of temptation, those who believe that might makes right or that shoot first and ask questions later are particularly susceptible to the lure of the dark side. If a character prefers to act instead of wait, to give in to fear and anger, to proceed from an aggressive posture instead of a passive one, that character must be wary of attracting the dark side.
Imperilment
A Force-user who has allowed the dark side into her life may eventuallyreach the brink of total corruption. Such a character has already become tainted with the dark side. In most cases, this character has accepted the dark side of the Force as a means to power and probably isnt too concerned about taking that next, fateful step. Some characters, however, will struggle not to give in, to walk that razor's edge and maintain at least some semblance of remaining in the light. These are the characters who constantly weigh the moral consequences, who obsess about doing the right thing no matter what the personal cost may be. To these characters, the dark side presents another weapon in their arsenal against evil, regardless of the fact that each use pushes them closer and closer to the very evil they hope to oppose. Eventually, the dark side will consume them; the path to corruption is paved with good intentions.
Submission
When a character gives himself over to the dark side and becomes a dark character, suddenly the rules change. From the dark character's point of view, there are no more restrictions, no more dangers to worry about. In a way, it can be liberating and exhilarating to give one's self fully to the dark side.
Once the dark character accept the corrupt path, there is no longer any need to justify actions. Now power becomes the admitted goal, and through the use of the dark side all obstacles can be pushed aside. Forget past attachments and former codes of conduct. Now the dark character considers himself a law unto himself, and life is considered to have begun when the character submitted fully to the darkness inside him.
Atonement or Redemption
In many cases, the dark character doesnt want or need the help of the other characters. Indeed, the dark character has no desire to give up the power of the dark side and return to the light-at least not at any conscious level.
A tainted character can atone, by spending a long period of meditation, reflection, and absolution on the part of the character.
A dark character cant attone. He must find redemption by turning away from the dark side and performing an act of dramatic heroism without calling upon the dark side of the Force. This act requires extreme personal cost and must be made in a selfless manner, thus providing a significant benefit to the galactic balance.
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