The Dark Side Compendium
By Silver2467 0 Comments
Author: Palpatine
"Because I have no intention of dying, I do not feel any compulsion to create any work of art to survive me. However, I am not so selfish that I am unwilling to share my various thoughts and experiences regarding the dark side. And so I now present to you excerpts from what may well be my masterpiece, the three books that make up The Dark Side Compendium."
The Book of Anger
"Many Jedi claim to have found serenity, and that through serenity they have overcome anger. Such arrogance is astounding. These fools have never faced their anger, and thus have no idea whether they have overcome it or not. True calm is only achieved through testing the limits of one's anger and passing through unscathed. The capacity for this ability lies within everyone, though most fear to test their own strength, and are thus considered at best weaklings, and at worst irresponsible.When the Force is sensed and moved by emotion, from the very center of the body, and meditated from the lower vital centers of the being, it acts with the destructive power of a storm...and the savagery of a beast.
Anger is the most potent catalyst to this kind of power. And anger that becomes rage, when channeled through the "vital gate" in the center of the body, can unleash absolutely unstoppable potency through the body.
Add the exquisite control of a fine intelligence standing watch over anger, and one has aggression that can kill with precision, crush cartilage from afar...or murder opponents from a great distance.
I have learned that Anger and Will are the greatest power.
I have learned to meditate Anger and Will with clarity and precision, and I have learned to open the hidden reservoir of dark side Power.
Anger concentrated by Will in the vital center of the body creates a portal through which vast energies are released—the energies of the dark side of the Force.
Standing watch with the mind, in my meditation of Anger, I have slain my enemies from great distances through the dark side Power that permeates the galaxy. I have created lightning and unleashed its destructive fire.
Using this knowledge, I can unleash the dark side energies that are all around us, even to shatter the fabric of space itself. In this way, I have created storms.
Through a simple act of Will, I can generate Force Storms, energy storms that are vastly destructive and virtually unstoppable. Although triggering such storms requires mere thought and inclination, I admit I am not yet able to completely control the phenomenon. Among my goals is to perfect this control."
The Weakness of Inferiors
"Inferiors continually endanger their own lives and the lives of others through poor decisions, reckless behavior, and simple inability to engineer the reality of their ambitious dreams. They are like children, crying in frustration because they do not comprehend their own limitations. These weaklings need structure—to be shown their place in the existing social order. It is left to the wise and powerful to provide that structure in order for civilization to survive and thrive in the galaxy. Those who cannot—or will not—accept that peace and order are far more important than their own selfish desires must be removed from society before they can inflict any lasting damage.- All power comes from outside the weak. The weak have never been known to believe in themselves or in their ability to wield power.
- The face of authority. The weak live as in a dream. All their thoughts, actions, and urges are governed by the face and the voice that controls this dream. The face and voice they have learned to obey. The face and voice of Authority.
- The law of fear. A consequence of the first two tenets is that the weak live in fear. The mere suggestion of violence from one in authority is enough to inspire their obedience. How can one who does not believe in his own powers stand against the power of another? It is impossible.
- The weak do not understand the Force. The Force is the ultimate means to gain authority over the weak. The weak do not understand the Force. The weak do not sense the Force, therefore how can they understand or use the Force? So it is that the weak are at the mercy of those who know and use the power of the Force. The proper use of the Force can inspire awe and obedience from the weak.
How shortsighted of them. Is that not why they lost the galaxy to the dark side?"
The Creation of Monsters
"Although the Force can be used to create terrifying illusions, it is sometimes more satisfying to create actual creatures that are willing and eager to shred and devour one's enemies on command. Such monsters are most useful when maintaining discipline and anxiety among subjects and enemies while one's attention is required elsewhere. These creations must be able to follow basic commands, but should not be designed with too much intelligence or self-awareness. Their function is first and foremost to serve their master.A novice might begin with a small herbivore that appears relatively defenseless, some simple-minded thing at or near the bottom of the food chain. The goal is to transform the creature into something higher on the evolutionary ladder and considerably more ferocious.
Examine the creature for any natural attributes and abilities that can be augmented for maximum destructive potential. If the creature lacks teeth and claws, do not refrain from adding such features. If its eyes are set on either side of its head, revise the configuration to enable them to face their prey head-on, or add an entirely new set of eyes. Strengthen muscles and bone, especially the jaw and along the spine.
Conquer the temptation to create specimens that are superior in every way. The danger of such monstrosities being turned against you is too great. Instead, focus on instituting controlling weaknesses into each and every beast you construct. Make it strong where you are weak, but weak where you are strong. It must have a fatal flaw that you—and only you—know how to exploit. And always, without fail, be prepared to destroy your most valued creation...or be prepared to be destroyed by it.
Do not disregard such practical aspects as whether the monster will be required to access standard doorways or travel upon floors which can only support a limited amount of weight. A large beast can make a wondrous thing to behold, but it can also make an easy target.
Alterations should not be merely cosmetic. A monster is most effective when it is hungry and in some degree of pain. Selectively sever or expose nerve endings and alter the creature's internal organs so it has the energy to maintain itself and can digest what it consumes.
Training is also essential. Test your creature, set it loose in a pit or cage with at least a dozen members of its original species, preferably blood relatives. Should it fail to meet one's expectations, either in the categories of efficiency or ferocity, yet emerge from the test relatively undamaged, you do not need to begin from scratch. Monsters can learn from experience, and can be fine-tuned by further enhancements and torture.
Of all the monsters I have created, I still regard Darth Vader as something of a minor masterpiece. No, he was not an entirely alchemical creation, but he was my monster nonetheless. Even though he failed to live up to his full potential, there was much pleasure in transforming Anakin Skywalker from a bright-eyed, tousle-haired youth into the greatest Jedi killer of all time. Yes, he ultimately turned against his Master, but that was my fault, not his. Given the opportunity to create Vader again, I would, and with zeal."