Edge of the Empire Book

ONGOING EFFECTS

Most of a Force power's effects last for a specific
length of time and then end. Some effects last only
for the duration of the action, while others may last
for several rounds, or even minutes or days. However,
some Force power effects are known as ongoing ef-
fects. Unlike other effects, ongoing effects last until
the Force user deliberately ends them.
Some Force powers have no ongoing effects, while
others have ongoing effects exclusively. However, most
Force powers have a mix of ongoing and standard ef-
fects. To activate an ongoing effect, the Force sensi-
tive character does not need to spend Force points.
Instead, he must commit a number of Force dice O
to fuel this effect (the number required is listed in the
individual effect). Each committed O may not be used
in any future checks (either checks to activate Force
powers or the rare skill checks that include O) as long
as this ongoing effect is maintained. The ongoing effect
may be maintained as long as the Force user likes, al-
though realistically the GM may determine that certain
circumstances may require him to end the ongoing ef-
fect. In essence, the Force user temporarily reduces his
Force rating by his total committed Q.

An ongoing effect may be ended at the end of any

subsequent character turn as an incidental.

FORCE POWER BREAKDOWN

Each Force power can be divided into two sections: the

power's basic form, and its upgrades. When a Force-sen-

sitive character purchases a Force power, he immediate-

ly gains access to the most basic form of the power. This

is the first row of the Force power, when consulting the

power's visual breakdown. The basic form is the Force

power at its simplest, and provides the foundation for all

the upgrades that accompany the Force power.

The Force power's upgrades are the means by

which players can customize the Force powers their

characters access, modifying them to serve their

needs and their characters' personalities. Upgrades

are purchased with experience points, and each up-

grade may only be purchased if it connects to the

basic form or a previously purchased upgrade. The

experience cost of each upgrade is listed in its box.

UPGRADES

Force power upgrades are grouped into several differ-

ent categories, as described here.

• Strength: Strength upgrades amplify the basic
  effect of a power, making the power more potent.


• Magnitude: Magnitude upgrades increase the
  number of targets affected by the power, allow-
  ing the user to affect multiple items or individuals
  with a single action.

FORCE POWERS AND NARRATIVE

T

he powers presented in EDGE OF THE EMPIRE

are intended to fit with the game's narrative

style, and as such are left intentionally broad in

scope. If players find ways to use their charac-

ters' Force powers outside of their pre-defined

boundaries, the GM should consider allowing

it, provided it is not abusive and adheres rea-

sonably closely the powers' original design. In

essence, players are encouraged to be creative

with their Force powers, as are GMs.

For example, a Force-sensitive character might

notice a colleague losing his step and falling off

a nearby balcony. Even though the players are

not in structured time, the GM could reasonably

allow the Force-sensitive character to immedi-

ately check his Move power and see if he can

catch his friend before he hits the ground below.

• Duration: Duration upgrades increase the length
  of time of the power's effects.


• Range: Range upgrades increase the distance
  from which the Force power can affect its targets.


• Control: Control upgrades add new effects to
  Force powers, or modify existing effects (adding
  or changing the way the Force-sensitive character
  spends Force points).
  These categories remain the same for each Force
  power, although how they modify the Force power de-
  pends on the power itself. For example, the Duration
  upgrade for Influence increases the length of Influ-
  ence's effect by one minute or one round of combat
  per upgrade, whereas the Duration upgrade for Sense
  increases the number of times its ongoing effects can
  be triggered each round. Some Force powers may not
  have each category of upgrades, depending on the
  power and how it works.

FORCE POWER: SENSE

By opening his mind, a Force user can commune with

the world around him. He senses the endless move-

ment of living Force, seeing beyond what his eyes al-

low. The actions of those around him are laid bare, as

if the Force user had a bird's eye view of his surround-

ings, allowing him to anticipate attacks and better

strike blows of his own, or even spot ambushes and

lurking foes. Alternatively, he can sense the thoughts

of others. Even a Jedi cannot read someone's mind

completely, but a Force-sensitive being trained in

these arts can detect his target's feelings and emo-

tions, and even sense surface thoughts.

Sense is a Force power with two distinct halves that

a Force-sensitive character can enhance. Users can

THE FORCE

"EDGE OF THE EMPIRE