The Force

The Force was a mysterious energy field that bound the universe together, with a focus point at the very center of the Andromeda galaxy. It was known by a variety of names throughout galactic history; it was called the Ashla by Lasats, the Ethereal Wind by the Verollians, the White Current by the Fallanassi, the Sight by the Chiss, the Life Wind by the Zeffo, the Source by the New Gods, the Cosmic Wind by the Kree, and the Great Presence by many people of the Unknown Regions; the Force was also referred to as energybending amongst Reyleans, though very little was understood about its nature as the ability to energybend was only known to be utilized by lion turtles and the Avatar. Mystics and scholars had long debated the origins of the Force, such as where and when civilizations first became aware of its power, resulting in many answers and none that were considered definitive. Different species had their own names for the Force as well as their own metaphors for how they perceived it and techniques for learning its powers.
The Force existed in two forms: the "Living Force" and the "Cosmic Force". The Living Force represented the energies of all lifeforms, and those energies were fed into the Cosmic Force which was responsible for binding the galaxy together and communicating the will of the Force through the midi-chlorians. Though only certain individuals were Force-sensitive, the Force resided within all living things and could be extracted. Because of this, Force-sensitives could feel a "disturbance in the Force" whenever there was a great loss of life. Droids, however, being mechanical creations, and thus possessing no midi-chlorians, could never sense the Force.
The ability to use the Force could run in a family line. Jarik Shan, a powerful and skilled Jedi Knight, came down a long line of Force-sensitives stretching back nearly four thousands years, which began with the ancient Jedi Knights Revan and Bastila Shan. The twins Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker, children of the powerful Anakin Skywalker, were both Force-sensitive. Despite this, most Force-sensitives — who were born during the age of the Jedi Order — came from those who could not use the Force due to the Jedi Code's stance against attachment and relationships. It was possible for siblings born to normal parents to not share a talent for Force sensitivity.
==Powers and abilities==
Harnessing the Force gave members of the Jedi Order, the Sith, and others sensitive to the spiritual energy, extraordinary abilities, such as telekinesis, mind control, and the power to see the future. In addition, Force-sensitives possessed quick reflexes due to their inherent ability to see things before they happen. Their physical strength could also be augmented by the Force, allowing them to crush objects with their hands or jump across great distances. While some Force techniques were practiced by those on either the dark side or the light side, such as telekinesis and the ability to sedate or induce sleep, certain powers could only be harnessed depending on the user's stance in the Force. Jedi younglings were taught that the Force could be used for many purposes, including protection, persuasion, wisdom, the manipulation of matter and the performance of great physical feats.
Yet whereas the Jedi harnessed the light side's abilities through a mental state of peace and calmness, the Sith relied on their passion for strength, granting them access to powers that others considered unnatural. For instance, Force lightning was a dark side ability used to torture, disfigure, and kill one's victims. Another example of the dark side's power was Force choke; by visualizing the ability with a claw-like or crushing hand gesture, the user could strangle a victim either to intimidate or kill them. In contrast to the dark side, only the light granted the ability to preserve one's consciousness after death. Those who gained this power could become Force spirits — beings who achieved immortality by retaining their identities after becoming one with the Force.
==Appearances==
Category:Lore
Category:Force powers
Category:Force spirits